"This sonata is easier to study than any of the earlier ones, and has therefore always been extremely popular." (Carl Czerny). Indeed, the Grande Sonate pathétique is the one with the most moderate demands in terms of playing technique among Beethoven's famous piano sonatas. But it is also popular for its pathetic expression, which captivates the listener from the very first chords.

The new edition is published as a single edition following the revised new edition of all Beethoven's piano sonatas published in 2018/19. The edition is based on the first edition published in 1799, the second edition by the original publisher published soon afterwards and some early reprints. The latter are particularly important as supplementary sources, since neither the autograph nor copies of them have survived. The Critical Report (in German and English) informs about the importance of the sources and the editorial decisions. The trilingual preface provides historical background information. In addition, the performance-practical remarks by Beethoven's pupil Carl Czerny offer first-hand interpretative advice.