Moonlight Sonata Finale - How To Scare The Listener

0:00 Introduction with Loki
0:27 Picking up on previous videos about the Moonlight Sonata
1:08 Beethoven’s talent for finales
2:10 Music of absolute ferocity
2:57 Sonata form
3:59 First subject: galloping horse opening
4:21 Both radical and conservative
4:49 Improvisatory elements
5:57 The Passus Duriusculus with examples
7:21 Toccata-like figuration
8:18 Comparison with Beethoven 9
9:01 Transition (modulation)
9:19 Second subject and the influence of Mozart.
10:56 Funky rhythms
12:40 Neapolitan harmony
14:08 String-quartet-like texture
15:44 Development section
17:03 Dominant pedal
17:48 Recapitulation
18:40 Coda with cadenza elements
20:15 Influence on Chopin
21:29 "Music that sounds as if it could never have been otherwise”
23:00 Spontaneous performance on a fortepiano with analytical commentary

The finale to the Moonlight Sonata is one of the most famous examples of Beethoven’s most tempestuous style. After the dreamy and mysterious poem of the first movement and the subversive minuet of the second movement, Beethoven created a furious, galloping horse ride of a finale, composed in sonata form. In 1801, when it was composed, it was music of unprecedented virtuosity and power. Played on a fortepiano (the instrument for which it was composed) it has an unprecedented wildness. But, behind its turbulence, is a masterful control of form, and a respect for Mozart’s approach to sonata form in its profusion of themes.

In this video, Matthew King explains the entire movement in the context of Beethoven’s use of sonata form, showing how some of the compositional material reveals Beethoven’s skill as an improviser. The video ends with a recording of the complete movement, played on a fortepiano, with an animated analysis. The recording was made spontaneously on a fortepiano, without prior preparation and is therefore far from error-free! It is meant to be a demonstration of the music’s spontaneity and the absolute wildness of sonority which Beethoven originally intended when he first composed this music.

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This channel is very grateful to an anonymous donor for lending us a fortepiano for the recording.

Beethoven: Presto Agitato (movement 3) from Sonata quasi Una Fantasia Op 27 no. 2

Pianist: Matthew King

#Beethoven #Moonlightsonata #themusicprofessor

[GuyCL]

I rarely comment on videos and this may sound dumb/cheap to some out here but I feel this video to be the utmost captivating adrenaline rushing music video I have ever stumbled on in all of the years of traversing the extensive YouTube landscape (am 51, 5 years but I refuse to update my thumbnail 🙂)! Thanks for sharing Beethoven's legacy with so much vigour, passion and compositional insight, "simply the best" joyride into Beethoven's mind, a finale masterclass like there is no other. Much love and warm greetings from the other side of the Channel (Belgium) to Loki and you (respectively ;-))...

[johnstajduhar]

Thanks for not giving in to the speed race on this movement, there's so much richness and many beautiful moments that a lot of pianists just gloss over to sound loud and fast! Too many modern pianists missing out on the rhetorical content of this music. I could certainly hear thought and consideration in the performance, it had that spontaneous air of making it up in the moment, made the more unexpected turns in the music pop out.

[davidwood]

It sounds so very raw and visceral on the fortepiano. We get a sense of Beethoven pushing the instrument to its absolute limits, and I am absolutely here for that!
This was a wonderful video. Your insight and enthusiasm really shine through.

[MC-hxxn]

Once you explained the irregular beat of dvpt. theme 2, I managed to hit those trills with my small hands for the first time. Thanks Professor!

[pattiromanello]

This was the last piece I learned as a teenager taking lessons. I chose to stop lessons because I was in a prep high school and wanted to focus on that. Well, now I am 73 years old and my goal is to play Beethovens Moonlight Sonata (all movements) and Sonata Pathetique again. Wish me luck!!

[HunterBelkiran]

That's so true.. Beethoven was an absolute master at finales. He knew how to close out a piece like nobody else.

[mitmusser]

Exciting performance! The pianoforte sound so atmospheric.

[nathanielmarks]

The fortepiano certainly has a different sound from a standard grand, I think I can hear some "twang" in it. The playing was superb regardless of the difference in timbre! Thank you for the video!

[johannebenezer]

Beethoven’s finales are always magnificent.

One of this movement’s most amazing aspects is its staccato bass under the opening arpeggios, and also the Alberti bass is magnificent. But what completely stands out is the amazing repeated chords motif… just amazing to play !

[thienpool]

I love that these videos feels like a class/lesson with you, because of how you frame it so academically. I love Moonlight Sonata, and the 3rd movement but it seemed impossible !

[martagarcia]

Loki is great ❤.... thank you very much for your enthusiasm!!!!

[notmyworld]

Greatly enjoyed this lecture! ...AND your performance of the piece at the end! Even with all your uncomfortable moments, it was marvelous! Thank you! (from Wayne W in Rogers, Arkansas, USA)

[BrianOxleyTexan]

I've never heard of fortepiano before. That sounded spectacular. I especially appreciate how expressive you were, use of rubato, and bringing out key rhythmic elements.

[mr-wxlv]

Great, thanks for this. Beethoven, just an otherworldly genius.

[revelry]

Love it. Man…. We need more of this. Some of those Mozart sonatas amazing too. That forte piano has a clanky sound. Sort of harpsichord like. Those harpsichord strings in there! Amazing!

[ericleiter]

A fantastic video/analysis of this amazing movement. The sheer power and agitation, played at such a rapid pace, is absolutely breathtaking...the fact that it is structured in such a way to be the ultimate apotheosis of the entire sonata is mind blowing. It was incredibly forward looking (while still being grounded in certain baroque and classical principles) and it still holds up as MUSIC today!!! As for the interpretation...very well done, and it is interesting how much clearer those deep bass notes/chords ring out, compared to interpretations on the modern piano. Great video!!!

[Anyonecandoit]

A magnificent and spirited performance! I always tell my pupils that any slight "rough edges" are akin to slightly damaged packaging in the post: The important thing is the Contents! We soon forget about the odd squashed corner or creased envelope! That was truly brilliant - And it was fascinating to hear all 3 movements on the forte piano.

[jameshannan]

Thank you for this! Another insightful analysis!

As an amateur I struggled to learn this piece and play it at speed - my hands inevitably begin to cramp playing those arpeggios. But it is worth the effort so dramatic!

I lived the fortepiano version. But modern piano is certainly more powerful

[dvd]

I am far from an expert on music theory, but I especially appreciated the description of the strategy of the chromatic descent from tonic to dominant. I will be listening for that in the future in music of that era.

[interstellar]

Thank you so much for this. The 3rd movement is the piece that led me to the piano. It floored me on a profound level. Every example of your breakdown resonates with me, and I cant tell you how much I appreciate your wisdom here:)