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Most of Beethoven's ten violin sonatas were composed within a time span of no more

than 6 years (1797-1803), with the exception of the last one, op. 96, which he began

in 1812, taking probably a further 3 years to revise to his satisfaction. This means the

set as a whole represents a relatively young Beethoven, though his development from

the early Op. 12 sonatas to the "Kreutzer" Op. 47 clearly demonstrates a formidable

inner creative force. His cello sonatas, string quartets and symphonies are more

evenly spaced throughout his life, but the violin sonatas lack nothing in invention,

range of expression and feeling. As so often in Beethoven's early works the intensity

of the slow movements stands out.