Beethoven didn't come up with the name "Moonlight" for his piano sonata — that was a music critic, who said it reminded him of "a moonlit night on lake Lucerne." Thanks to Beethoven's publisher (who doubled as publicist in those days), the name stuck. We hear two very different versions: one from Glenn Gould, and the other in an historical recording from Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski (who, incidentaly, also served as the third Prime Minister of Poland).
Comments [3]
Believe it or not I was actually sitting at the piano working on the Moonlight and thinking to my self why do I love this piece so much...should I not have outgrown the MoonLight in my teens??? and as I paused for a break I turned on the radio and there you were...like an angelic rebuke\reminder that...no one but - No - one outgrows the Moonlight.
Solemn beauty the Moonlight
-Thanks
-Z
Brilliant tapestry of moonlight sonatas! Like John, I had to stop working and just listen. Thanks for enabling me to take time in life.
HEY! I'm trying to catch up on some work! You were supposed to be background music, but that Moonlight Sonata thing stopped me in my tracks!
I have a big mug on my desk; every time WNYC airs something I think is great, I toss in some change for your annual drive. This number got greenbacks! I LOVE YOU SARAH!
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