The new issue reveals how Beethoven poured his most intense emotions into music for his favourite instrument – the piano.

The March issue of Limelight hits the newsstands today and is, as usual, available from our online store with free postage!

When Prince Karl Lichnowsky accompanied Mozart on a tour of Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin, the unpredictable genius was commissioned to write six sonatas for piano. After Mozart died, having only produced one of the promised six, the disappointed Lichnowsky turned his patronage to a promising young pianist from Bonn. By the time of Lichnowsky’s death in 1814, Ludwig van Beethoven had transformed the piano sonata from a modest salon piece into a genre of monumental significance.

The piano sonata became Beethoven’s most cherished means of communication. What started out as an indulgent tool for the young virtuoso became the composer’s musical confidant as his deafness became more and more debilitating. Our lead feature this month examines these 32 cornerstones of the piano repertoire, their creation and the classic recordings that have stood the test of time.

From Beethoven we move one step backwards to Bach and a feature that combines music and dance. What do you get when you...