📦 Economy Un-tracked Shipping $5.99* (No Tracking Number)
🚚 Standard Tracked Shipping Under $64.99 - $13.99*
🚚 Standard Tracked Shipping Over $64.99 - $9.99*
✈️ Express Tracked Shipping $18.99*
Couldn't load pickup availability
Beethoven -Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight Sonata) Book📚
Genre: Classical
The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, commonly known as the "Moonlight Sonata," is one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most famous compositions and is often considered a masterwork of the piano literature. Composed in 1801 and published in 1802 with a dedication to Beethoven's pupil Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, the sonata is still widely performed and recognised today.
Contrary to the typical fast-slow-fast movement structure of classical sonatas, the "Moonlight Sonata" begins with a slow, hauntingly beautiful and instantly recognisable Adagio sostenuto. This first movement, which inspired the work's nickname "Moonlight," is followed by a brief Allegretto and then a virtuosic Presto agitato.
The title "Quasi una fantasia" (Almost a Fantasy) in the score suggests Beethoven's departure from conventional sonata form. The piece is known for its emotional depth and its technical demands on the performer. The famous name "Moonlight Sonata" wasn't actually given by Beethoven himself but comes from comments by the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab, who thought the first movement evoked the image of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne. The name has since become inseparable from the piece.
Beethoven, a key figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western music, had begun to lose his hearing by the time he composed this work. The sonata's expressive depth is often interpreted as a reflection of Beethoven's inner turmoil and struggles with his encroaching deafness.
Modern editions of the sonata often aim to be as faithful as possible to the original manuscript and early editions, given the multiple layers of interpretation and modification that have been added to the work over the centuries. Performers and students alike continue to study this piece, not only for its technical challenges but also for its emotional and historical significance.
Who Was Ludwig Beethoven?
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist who is one of the most influential figures in the history of Western classical music. Known for his innovative compositions in forms like symphonies, sonatas, and quartets, Beethoven's work laid the foundation for the Romantic era in music. His career is often divided into three periods: Early, Middle ("Heroic"), and Late, each marked by distinct stylistic evolutions. Despite losing his hearing in later life, Beethoven continued to compose groundbreaking works, including his Ninth Symphony and late string quartets. His music is celebrated for its emotional depth and technical complexity.
No composer has had as profound and sustained an influence on immediately following generations to the present day as Beethoven. His instrumental music, especially his symphonies, served as touchstones for symphonic composition throughout the nineteenth century. The extraordinarily high standard of his music and his relative independence as a freelance composer have led to his being characterised as the greatest composer of all time.
Please take a moment to review our policy for music book returns.
We want to take a moment to explain our return policy for music books. Unfortunately, we're unable to accept returns of any kind due to the copyright regulations surrounding the content in the books. Once a book has been sold, it can't be resold or shared without permission from the copyright holder, which is usually the publisher.
As much as we'd love to be able to offer refunds or exchanges, we're committed to upholding the law and respecting the intellectual property rights of our suppliers. We understand that this may be disappointing for some customers, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to continuing to supply our customers with an enormous range of affordable music books!
- The Team at Music2u
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
