“Beethoven effectively invented the genre of the cello sonata proper, in which cello and piano have equally important roles,” writes Barry Cooper in his introduction to the Bärenreiter edition of all five sonatas (BA09012 Beethoven, Sonatas for Piano and Cello). It was awarded the “Best Edition 2005” prize by the German Music Publishers Association for the outstanding musicological work of its editor, Beethoven specialist Jonathan Del Mar.

Bärenreiter presents this single edition of the Cello Sonata in A major op. 69, as part of a series of popular works from its programme celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publishing house. The work dates from the composer's “middle period” and contains “expanded lyricism and grandeur, enormous dynamism and a persistent element of unpredictability” (Barry Cooper).