Beethoven: Piano Sonata #14, Op. 27, No. 2, "Moonlight" - 1st Movement

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Coronavirus creativity #30:

The first movement of this magnificent sonata is one of the most famous pieces in all of western classical music. The repeating triplet pattern in the right hand, to me, is remiscent of a guitar accompaniment, while the melody is either expressed in the slow, mournful left hand, or the plaintive upper voice in the right hand (above the triplets).

The name "Moonlight" was not conferred on the sonata in Beethoven's lifetime, but came about 5 years after his death, because of how it reminded a critic of the moonlight rippling across Lake Lucerne.

I take some liberties with tempo, particularly when the piece arrives at cadences, and I also pedal more heavily than Beethoven likely intended; I really like the slight dissonances caused by holding onto the pedal slightly after the harmonies have shifted.