Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 16-18 (Young Hyun Cho)

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

• Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1
• Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2
• Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3

Young Hyun Cho, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Blue Griffin Recording

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Blue Griffin Recording presents Beethoven Piano Sonatas Nos. 16–18, Op. 31 performed by Young Hyun Cho, offering a compelling interpretation of works that signal the emergence of Ludwig van Beethoven’s heroic middle period. Composed in 1801–1802, the Op. 31 sonatas mark a decisive stylistic shift, as Beethoven moved beyond Classical conventions toward greater structural freedom, emotional intensity, and personal expression. Written amid the crisis of his increasing deafness and the drafting of the Heiligenstadt Testament, these sonatas stand at a pivotal moment in his artistic evolution, foreshadowing the bold innovations that would define his mature style.

Young Hyun Cho, born in Korea to a non-musical family, began piano studies early under the encouragement of her father. She trained at Yewon Middle School, Seoul Arts High School, and Seoul National University, then pursued graduate studies in the U.S., earning a Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music, studying with Nelita True, Boris Slutsky, and Mikyung Kim. Cho has performed as soloist with major orchestras in Europe, Korea, and the U.S., and is currently associate professor of piano at Michigan State University. She is recording all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas and has published multiple albums, including releases on Sony and Blue Griffin. She is also a sought-after guest faculty artist at numerous international festivals and universities.