Abstract
Composed in 1800-1801, called Moonlight by the poet Ludwig Rellstab, the sonata Op. 27 #2 became one of the most famous of Beethoven's pieces almost immediately after its publication. It continues to fascinate the audience by the lyrical and dramatic first movement contrasting with the virtuoso violence of the third one. Even if the whole structure is not very original – still deeply influenced by classicism – this sonata sounds so romantic and new that it could be understood as a foreboding to later composers like Chopin or Liszt. Undeniable innovator, Beethoven wanted to compose a piece lightly different from a usual sonata. He designated it as sonata quasi una fantasia, “a designation that has no readily apparent precedent” . It was not only very rare to begin a piece in different parts with a slow movement, but also very bold to finish it with a so dramatic and active movement. Beethoven distorted the classical structure, making the climax occur at the end; it builds a huge tension all along this new musical architecture.
