[efitz]

I like being able to address and like/favorite individual movements. Beethoven Piano Sonata #14 (“Moonlight”) is a masterpiece, but the second movement is <expletive>. I don’t know if I could listen to it hundreds of times like I have the first and third movements.

[8bitsrule]

Many classical works have more than one 'track'. Musicians, critics, etc. usually refer to them by the tempo marking text. A lot of music software just doesn't get this. These tempo markings (by the composer; often in italian) are the track names. So Moonlight has 3 movements:

I. Adagio sostenuto

II. Allegretto

III. Presto agitato

[inopinatus]

This is perfectly highlighting that we've got no way to express our actual preferences, and are stuck treating something as a song when it isn't, but it's the only paradigm offered to us.

[hulitu]

> Beethoven Piano Sonata #14 (“Moonlight”) is a masterpiece,

Which one ? Played by Kissin ? Or by Rubinstein ? Or by ...

[8bitsrule]

Most consider the composition to be a masterpiece.

Artists/conductors 'perform' 'interpretations' of works. Whether any interpretation is 'masterful' or 'virtuosic', etc., is up to the critical listener.

Three recordings by Horowitz may have been released ... which one is 'best'? Depends on the phase of the moon and your playback equipment!

The 'quality' of a particular performance may depend on the instrument provided to the artist. The year of recording can be very important (reflects techology used). The acoustics of the recording venue are also inherently part of the performance ... e.g. too much reverb.