Moonlight Sonata (the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# minor “Quasi una fantasia”, Op, 27, No. 2) is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven completed in 1801.
The piece is one of Beethoven’s most popular compositions for the piano. The name “Moonlight Sonata” comes from remarks made by a music critic 5 years after Beethoven’s death, that likened the effect of the first movement to that of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne. I can see that. Well put!
Berlioz said that it “is one of those poems that human language does not know how to qualify”. This sonata was very popular even in Beethoven’s day, to the point of exasperating the composer himself, who once remarked, “Surely I’ve written better things.” I guess even back in the day, musicians could never tell which of their songs would be hits!
This performance of the first movement of Moonlight Sonata is dedicated to the over 40 people who have requested it, including Lisa M. Thanks. I really enjoy playing it!
Dr. Weiss
Bosendorfer piano sound – For this recording I’m playing a Yamaha Clavinova – which has the same keyboard action as a traditional acoustic piano, but there are no strings. Pressing a key activates (in this case) a sound which was sampled from a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano. Try listening to it with a good set of headphones! It sounds better than any piano I’ve ever owned!!
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