Welcome to “Stories behind the scores” dedicated to the musical creations of the great composers! Today, we will explore one of the most famous and fascinating pieces of classical music in history – Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” We will discover its history and why it is called the “Moonlight Sonata” in the moments to come.
Beethoven, a passionate and impulsive individual with a strong personality and a difficult temperament, was not afraid to experiment and bring a new breath to music, even if he was often criticized for it. He was a strict perfectionist with his own work and with that of others, for as he stated, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.”
The story of this masterpiece begins in 1801, when the composer was 30 years old and struggling to make a living by writing music on commission and offering piano lessons. He was financially supported by sponsors, and his career seemed to be on an upward trajectory. However, the truth was different.
In a letter dated November 16, 1801, written to his childhood friend Franz Gerhard Wegeler, a doctor by profession, he exposed all the torment he was going through due to his illness – the loss of his hearing:
“My dear Wegeler, I thank you for this new proof of your care, especially since I deserve so little of it. You want to know how I feel and if I need anything. Although I am not very happy to talk about it, I am more willing to do so with you than with anyone else. For several months, Wehring has been putting abscess plasters on both of my hands… It is a very unpleasant treatment, which leaves me unable to move my arms for a day or two, not to mention the pain. It must be said that the noise in my ears has subsided a bit, it is not as bad as before, especially in my left ear, where my deafness began; but my hearing has not improved at all until today; I am afraid it could have gotten worse…”
However, Beethoven did not let himself be defeated. He was motivated by love, falling in love with his student, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, a young Italian aristocrat. Without asking for money for music lessons, Beethoven gave her advice and shared his knowledge with her. As a sign of gratitude, the girl embroidered shirts for him. It seemed that happiness awaited him, as their feelings were mutual. In the same letter addressed to his friend, he describes these feelings:
“The change that happened to me was caused by a sweet and beautiful girl: she loves me, and I love her. Now, after two years, for the first time in my life, I feel that marriage can bring me happiness.”
Beethoven felt how happiness filled his heart and made plans for a future with his beloved. However, his dream collapsed in an instant when the young aristocrat fell in love with his rival, Count Wenzel Gallenberg. The coincidence made this rival a mediocre composer, and this added to the pain and betrayal that Beethoven felt.
For the composer, this betrayal was all the more painful, as he himself was a musical genius.
At that time, the Napoleonic Wars were raging throughout Europe, and Vienna, the city where Beethoven lived, was occupied by French and Russian forces. In addition, financial difficulties made his life even harder, as his wealthy patrons had begun to withdraw their support.
Beethoven had to take his piano with him and transport it with an ox cart for several days to reach his new home. All these difficulties deeply influenced him.
Despite all his problems, Beethoven sat down at the piano and let his emotions flow, putting them into notes. From the first notes of the work, one can feel his entire pain and despair.
In the first movement, “Adagio sostenuto”, a profound pain is felt, an inner suffering that only a genius musician like Beethoven could transform into an emotional sound experience. His friend, Carl Czerny, described this part as “a nocturnal scene in which a phantasmic and pitiful voice resounds from afar”. Nevertheless, Beethoven created a perfect harmony, and each note seems to convey an intense emotion.
In the second movement, “Allegretto,” a change is felt, a calmness that embraces the listener. Franz Liszt, another great composer and pianist, described this part as “a flower between two abysses”. Beethoven seems to convey a strong desire to fight for his unrequited love through this calm and peaceful part.
In the third movement, “Presto agitato”, an increased intensity and powerful energy are felt. Romain Rolland, a French writer, described this part as “an unexpected adagio…and piano, silence…The human, driven to the extreme, is silent, his breath interrupted. And when, a moment later, the breath returns and the man rises, the futile efforts, the sighs, the outbursts – all come to an end. Everything is said, the soul is emptied. In the last measures, only a majestic force remains, submitting, taming, taking over the flow.” This part seems to convey an inner struggle, a tension that gradually builds and finds its conclusion in a powerful and energetic way.
Although this piece is classified as a sonata, Beethoven avoided the traditional sonata form and opted for a more improvisational and fluid structure. This innovative approach was often criticized, but it made the piece a unique and unforgettable sound experience.
That is why the composer named it “Sonata quasi una fantasia” (Sonata almost like a fantasy), which reflects the free and improvisational nature of the work.
According to legend, Beethoven’s deafness was so terrible that he had to put his head on the piano to feel the vibrations of the notes. This fact did not prevent him from creating some of the most beautiful and impressive musical works of all time.
Beethoven presented this piece to the Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel, telling him that he had put so much passion and soul into this sonata that no one would understand it. He asked Hummel to perform this piece at a concert, but he refused, saying it was too difficult to play in public. Beethoven was extremely disappointed with this rejection.
In March 1802, this masterpiece was published in Bonn, with a dedication to Giulietta. The official premiere took place in the same year, performed by Beethoven’s student, pianist Franz Rovantini. The composer received a modest sum of money for the premiere of the piece, approximately 50 silver florins, equivalent to approximately 200 US dollars today.
At first, Sonata No. 14 was not well received by critics, who considered it too unconventional. However, the public received it with enthusiasm and admiration.
The main melody immediately takes you inside and reveals all your nostalgic feelings. In a very short time, this work became very popular and gained popularity worldwide.
Despite its success, Beethoven was amazed at the audience’s appreciation for Sonata No. 14. This made him express his disappointment that his other works were not as appreciated. In one of his letters, he wrote: “Everyone is talking about the Sonata in C-sharp minor! Of course, I have written works even better than that, why don’t they appreciate them?”.
At that time, the piece had not yet gained its nickname of “Moonlight Sonata”. This name appeared 5 years later, after Beethoven’s death. In 1832, the German music critic Ludwig Rellstab, strolling on the shore of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, described the opening sections as resembling the flickering light of the moon on the surface of Lake Firwaldstättersee.
For many other critics, the theme at the beginning of the piece was not what Rellstaff described. In their opinion, it had a sad, heartbroken atmosphere and was not romantic. However, despite their opposing opinions, Rellstaff’s description stood out and has survived to this day.
“The Moonlight Sonata” – a piece that has inspired many composers and performers, as well as countless listeners who find in it a profound emotion and a unique connection with their soul.
Franz Liszt – made a piano transcription of the entire sonata and described it as “an endless stream of lights and shadows, a world of visions and thoughts”.
Johannes Brahms – said that the Moonlight Sonata is “a poetry of harshness” and compared it to a “Gothic cathedral, with its high windows, stained glass and carved decorations”.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – considered the ”Moonlight Sonata” to be one of Beethoven’s most beautiful creations and said that he felt “an angel speaking to him”.
Hector Berlioz – described the Moonlight Sonata as “a lyric opera in a single act”.
Richard Wagner – stated that the Moonlight Sonata is “the greatest symphony of all time”.
Not in vain, in 1970, Soviet cosmonaut Andriyan Nikolayev took a recording of the “Moonlight Sonata” with him on a space mission, making it the first piece of music ever played in space. According to reports, Nikolayev listened to the recording while orbiting the Earth. And in 1977, it was included on the Voyager Golden Record, a device sent into space with the mission of presenting Earth’s culture and art to other intelligent civilizations. Thus, we can confidently declare that the “Moonlight Sonata” is a masterpiece not only on a global level but also on a galactic one.
It is remarkable how an artist can transform personal suffering into beautiful and impactful art that remains in people’s hearts over time.
