Play the Melody!
This page shows the main melody notes – not chords!
Each note must be played individually.
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About this melody
"Moonlight Sonata," composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1801, is one of his most famous piano compositions. Its official title is "Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2," but it earned the nickname "Moonlight Sonata" due to its mysterious and evocative first movement. Beethoven himself didn't give it this nickname; it was coined by a music critic. The piece is renowned for its expressive and melancholic melody, reflecting Beethoven's introspective and emotional style. Its original key is C-sharp minor. Notable interpreters include renowned pianists such as Alfred Brendel, Daniel Barenboim, and Claudio Arrau, among others.