Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor “Moonlight”

Today, we are talking about the Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor, commonly known as the “Moonlight” sonata. The nickname “moonlight” actually came from a poet named Ludwig Rellstab, not Beethoven. It’s probably the most well-known sonata from Beethoven, as the first movement of “moonlight” appeared on almost every easy listening compilation in the past 50 years. From a personal experience, I heard the first movement countless times since I was a child and thought that was all to it. However, it was not until many years later until I listened to the 2nd and especially the 3rd movement. I am completely captivated by the wildness of the last movement. I wish I can play it, so that when I’m feeling down, I can dump my unhappiness all away with the arpeggio. In fact, the arpeggio at the beginning of the 3rd movement is so unexpected that it ponders my heart like thunders.

The recording I’ve heard the most is Wilhelm Kempff’s 1965 DG recording. It’s probably not his best performance, some argued that his 1950s mono recordings were better, but the 65 version is definitely better engineered. Alfred Brendel, Arthur Rubinstein also had great interpretations of this piece.

Luckily, there a Wilhelm Kempff Live performance of the moonlight sonata on youtube.

Kempff plays Moonlight Sonata Movement 1:

Kempff plays Moonlight Sonata Movement 2:

Kempff plays Moonlight Sonata Movement 3:

For sheet music of the Moonlight Sonata, here it is:

Piano Sonata No.14 “Moonlight” Sheet Music

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