Beethoven Archive

The name “Moonlight Sonata” was given to this music by the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab five years after Beethoven’s death. This sonata consists of three movemens: Adagio sostenuto, allegretto and presto agitato. …

My favorite sonata among the 32 piano sonatas composed by Beethoven is the number 31. Every major pianist has performed this work at some time in her/his career. I have recently been very moved by …

Beethoven’s Violin Sonata #5 reflects the composer’s strong love of nature. The Sonata’s nickname seems to have been bestowed by others who found the opening Allegro suggestive of spring, no doubt deriving from the loveliness …

There is nothing so laid-back about Beethoven’s E flat major Sonata. The use of repeated notes as a feature in three of the four movements gives the music a momentum of its own, as well …

Beethoven’s Septet was written in the winter of 1799/1800, and was given its premiere at the first of Beethoven’s benefit concerts, in the Burgtheater on 2 April 1800. The concert also included the first performance …