Ah, Ludwig van Beethoven, thou art so HUGE! So immense! This is my recording of “Moonlight Sonata” or as it is actually titled, Quasi una Fantasia which translates to “sonata in the manner of a fantasy”. This is the second sonata from the Opus 27 and was written in 1801. The name, moonlight sonata, was actually penned by Ludwig Rellstab who thought the piece reminded him of the moons reflection off of lake Luzern in Switzerland.
The sonata breaks with normal form in that it is represented as a slow movement, a little faster movement and then a fast movement. Traditionally a sonata would be fast movement, slow movement, and finally an ending fast movement.
the first movement is played at Adagio sostenuto which translate to slow and sustained and is in the key of C# Minor.
the second movement is played allegreto which translates as a little quickly. This movement is in the key of Bb Minor.
The final movement is again in C# Minor and is presented as Presto Agitato which is “fast, agitated.”
I used three sampled grand pianos mixed with a Fender Rhodes sample and various effects to achieve the vast feeling of space in this recording. I hope you enjoy it!