Which version of the Moonlight Sonata is better?

xtimz · 25-01-25, 09:42

I always want to ask this question. I just don't know where to ask.
In the last FMV of TR5, there is a short segment of the Moonlight Sonata, or the Piano Sonata No. 14 by Ludwig van Beethoven. It's very beautiful music, and I want to find a good version of it. I'm ignorant on western classic music. So which version is generally considered as... Maybe I shouldn't use the word best here, but I mean at least which is better?

There is a full version of Moonlight Sonata in the community developed Tomb Raider music discography. The direct YouTube link is here. What do you think of this version?

Heartache · 29-01-25, 19:03

i didnt listen to the moonlight sonata version you linked but im pretty sure it is the musicfile released by conelly himself, so that is the version used in the fmv's

xtimz · 03-02-25, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heartache

i didnt listen to the moonlight sonata version you linked but im pretty sure it is the musicfile released by conelly himself, so that is the version used in the fmv's

Thanks for the information.

Celephais · 12-03-25, 18:16

I just happened to be browsing the Chronicles forums when I saw this. I am a huge Beethoven fan. the 'Moonlight' Sonata as it's called is actually a piece containing 3 very different segments of music. The quiet, 'beautiful' first one is the one every knows. The other two pieces that come after it might not be quite to your same liking, if you're looking for the same style of music.

There's probably been thousands of recordings of this piece. My favourite player of Beethoven is Alfred Brendel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqaHP0FcJsU

But this is also good too, a 'live performance'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITidiBe-0T0

Egeon · 15-03-25, 21:50

My favorite Beethoven Sonata is N. 21 Op. 53, the so called 'Waldstein Sonata'
I don't know which version is the best, I know Baremboim version and an old one by Rubinstein.
It's amazing listen how Beethoven use the piano as an orchestra. But you must know his symphonies very well to realize this.

Celephais · 16-03-25, 07:47

Just about everyone likes the Moonlight Sonata adagio part (the famous part) but to be honest most of Beethovens piano music doesn't sound much like it. Some of it is quite loud and aggressive sounding, some of it light hearted and frivolous. If you listen to a random Beethoven piano work expecting another version of the Moonlight Sonata you might be disappointed. But another popular one which most people like and often appears on classical music compilations is the adagio from the 'Pathetique' sonata.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H40j6s3NCRE.

I like the Barenboim versions but he plays the slow parts of the sonatas just a bit too slowly for my taste, and I know some other people think the same. But he's really good when he gets to the faster and more dynamics bits!

My impression of the piano before I heard Beethoven was a boring instrument that music teachers and cocktail lounge players used. How wrong I was. The piano can be an extremely expressive instrument.

25-01-25, 09:42	#1
xtimz Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,576	Which version of the Moonlight Sonata is better? I always want to ask this question. I just don't know where to ask. In the last FMV of TR5, there is a short segment of the Moonlight Sonata, or the Piano Sonata No. 14 by Ludwig van Beethoven. It's very beautiful music, and I want to find a good version of it. I'm ignorant on western classic music. So which version is generally considered as... Maybe I shouldn't use the word best here, but I mean at least which is better? There is a full version of Moonlight Sonata in the community developed Tomb Raider music discography. The direct YouTube link is here. What do you think of this version?

16-03-25, 07:47	#6
Celephais Member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,293	Just about everyone likes the Moonlight Sonata adagio part (the famous part) but to be honest most of Beethovens piano music doesn't sound much like it. Some of it is quite loud and aggressive sounding, some of it light hearted and frivolous. If you listen to a random Beethoven piano work expecting another version of the Moonlight Sonata you might be disappointed. But another popular one which most people like and often appears on classical music compilations is the adagio from the 'Pathetique' sonata. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H40j6s3NCRE. I like the Barenboim versions but he plays the slow parts of the sonatas just a bit too slowly for my taste, and I know some other people think the same. But he's really good when he gets to the faster and more dynamics bits! My impression of the piano before I heard Beethoven was a boring instrument that music teachers and cocktail lounge players used. How wrong I was. The piano can be an extremely expressive instrument. Last edited by Celephais; 16-03-25 at 07:50.

29-01-25, 19:03	#2
Heartache Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,544	i didnt listen to the moonlight sonata version you linked but im pretty sure it is the musicfile released by conelly himself, so that is the version used in the fmv's

12-03-25, 18:16	#4
Celephais Member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,293	I just happened to be browsing the Chronicles forums when I saw this. I am a huge Beethoven fan. the 'Moonlight' Sonata as it's called is actually a piece containing 3 very different segments of music. The quiet, 'beautiful' first one is the one every knows. The other two pieces that come after it might not be quite to your same liking, if you're looking for the same style of music. There's probably been thousands of recordings of this piece. My favourite player of Beethoven is Alfred Brendel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqaHP0FcJsU But this is also good too, a 'live performance' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITidiBe-0T0

15-03-25, 21:50	#5
Egeon Member Joined: May 2023 Posts: 35	My favorite Beethoven Sonata is N. 21 Op. 53, the so called 'Waldstein Sonata' I don't know which version is the best, I know Baremboim version and an old one by Rubinstein. It's amazing listen how Beethoven use the piano as an orchestra. But you must know his symphonies very well to realize this.