In this album, I present my interpretation of two popular works by Ludvig van Beethoven: Quasi una Fantasia, aka Moonlight Sonata, and Pathétique. 

For each piece I crated a "piano" that brought out what I felt when I listen to the piece. These are layered, built from many sampled acoustic and electric pianos along with electronic synthesizer patches I created. I also used various effects and edits to achieve the crafted sound that I desired like distant canyon echos, dense hall reverberation and other flights of my imagination. Let the music take you on a journey and I hope you enjoy my work.

Howard channels Ludwig van Beethoven - Alotta Sonata

This first movement is played at Adagio sostenuto which translate to slow and sustained and is in the key of C# Minor. I used three piano samples for this, electric, 5 meter grand and Distant Mountain Grand to get the space into the music.

Ah, Ludwig van Beethoven, thou art so HUGE! So immense!  This is my recording of "Moonlight Sonata" or as it is actually titled, Quasi una Fantasia which translates to  "sonata in the manner of a fantasy".  This is the second sonata from the Opus 27 and was written in 1801.  The name, moonlight sonata, was actually penned by Ludwig Rellstab who thought the piece reminded him of the moons reflection off of lake Luzern in Switzerland.

The sonata breaks with normal form in that it is represented as a slow movement, a little faster movement and then a fast movement. Traditionally a sonata would be fast movement, slow movement, and finally an ending fast movement.

Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement - Beethoven - Quasi una fantasia

This second movement is played allegreto which translates as a little quickly.  This movement is in the key of Bb Minor. I used three piano samples for this, electric, 5 meter grand and Distant Mountain Grand to get the space into the music.

Moonlight Sonata 2nd Movement - Beethoven - Quasi una fantasia

This final movement is again in C# Minor and is presented as Presto Agitato which is "fast, agitated." I used three piano samples for this, electric, 5 meter grand and Distant Mountain Grand to get the space into the music.

Ah, Ludwig van Beethoven, thou art so HUGE! So immense! This is my recording of "Moonlight Sonata" or as it is actually titled, Quasi una Fantasia which translates to "sonata in the manner of a fantasy". This is the second sonata from the Opus 27 and was written in 1801. The name, moonlight sonata, was actually penned by Ludwig Rellstab who thought the piece reminded him of the moons reflection off of lake Luzern in Switzerland.

The sonata breaks with normal form in that it is represented as a slow movement, a little faster movement and then a fast movement. Traditionally a sonata would be fast movement, slow movement, and finally an ending fast movement.

Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement - Beethoven - Quasi una fantasia

This is Ludwig at his finest. The Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 Fist Movement, better known as Sonata Pathétique was written for Prince Karl von Lichnowsky by Beethoven. 

The first movement is know as Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio, which uses the Mannheim crescendos or Rocket theme. I used 6 audio tracks of instruments to get this sound for the work from distant grand to fender rhodes to a 5 meter grand piano. I hope you like it.

Pathétique - Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 1st Movement - Beethoven

The Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 Second Movement, better known as Sonata Pathétique was written for Prince Karl von Lichnowsky by Beethoven. 

The second movement is know as Adagio cantabile (Slowly, in a singing style), opens with a famous cantabile melody. This theme is played three times, always in A-flat major, separated by two modulating episodes, making it a five-part rondo. 

This is an 8 chanel stereo mix using Grand Piano, 5 Meter Grand, Distant Grand,  Echo Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, and several synthesized choral and string patches mixed together. I hop you like it!

Pathétique - Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 2nd Movement - Beethoven

The Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 Third Movement, better known as Sonata Pathétique was written for Prince Karl von Lichnowsky by Beethoven. The third movement is known as a Rondo: Allegro (Quickly). 

This is a 9 Chanel stereo mix using 5 meter grand piano, Grand Piano, Echo Grand Piano, Distant piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, and several synthesized choral and string patches mixed together. I hope you like it!

Pathétique - Sonata in C Minor Opus 13 3rd Movement - Beethoven

I create electronic music in the spirit of Tomita and Wendy Carlos. I also like to rock and am into Pink Floyd. I have been a user of Cakewalk since version 1.0 and currently use Reason, Cakewalk and Audacity along with a studio full of electronic instruments and effects. I play with local musicians and I work at composing electronic renditions of classical music.

Howard channels Ludwig van Beethoven - Alotta Sonata

Howard F. Arner, Jr.