Haydn’s late piano sonatas Hob. XVI:40–42 (1784) and Hob. XVI:48–52 (1788-95) reveal him to be a highly distinctive and consummate master in terms of form and expression. These technically brilliant works, the quintessence of his sonata output, were conceived for the hammerklavier and reflect the fresh inspiration Haydn received in London. In particular the London Sonatas will have been groundbreaking, not least for the young Beethoven.