The 3rd movement (Presto Agitato) of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 performed live on piano by Marnie Laird for Brooklyn Classical.
The third movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” – Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27/2
The third movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” is completely different from the previous two movements. Its rapid progressions from note to note are invigorating and powerful. The third movement of the Moonlight Sonata is actually marked piano, but Beethoven’s use of sforzandos and fortissimos make the piece actually sound as if the overall dynamic was fortissimo.
It is the weightiest of the three, reflecting an experiment of Beethoven’s (also carried out in the companion sonata, Opus 27, No. 1 and later on in Opus 101) placement of the most important movement of the sonata last. The writing has many fast arpeggios and strongly accented notes, and effective performance demands lively and skillful playing.
Of the final movement, the American concert pianist and writer on music, Charles Rosen (May 5, 1927 – December 9, 2012) has written “it is the most unbridled in its representation of emotion. Even today, two hundred years later, its ferocity is astonishing.”
The sonata is named “The Moonlight” by the German poet and music critic Ludwig Rellstab (13 April 1799 – 27 November 1860) who, in 1832, had this inspiration on a moonlit night on the banks of the Lucerna River.
Marnie Laird
Canadian pianist Marnie Laird praised as “… a technically immaculate, probing and authoritative protagonist” (The Miami Herald), enjoys an active career as a collaborative pianist, chamber musician, and soloist.
Prior to founding Brooklyn Duo and Brooklyn Classical, Marnie spent three years as the principal pianist of the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In high demand as a pianist in New York City, she worked with several opera companies, including the Gotham Chamber Opera, and was also on staff as a collaborative pianist at The Juilliard School after graduating.
Recent performances have taken her to Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Merkin Hall, where her performance with cellist Matthew Zalkind for the Concert Artists Guild competition was broadcast live on WFMT radio.
Originally from Vancouver, BC, Marnie has been the recipient of numerous Canadian awards, including top prizes from the Canadian Music Competitions, Canadian Music Teachers’ Association, and the BC Arts Council.
Most notably she was awarded the Gold Medal for the highest mark in Canada on the A.R.C.T. piano performance exams. She made her solo orchestral debut at age 13 with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and has participated in the Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, Kneisel Hall, and Banff summer festivals.
Marnie received her Master’s degree in collaborative piano from The Juilliard School, where she was the recipient of a full scholarship as well as the Orchestral Piano Fellowship. She also has a Master’s in solo piano performance from The University of British Columbia. Her principal teachers include Lorraine Ambrose, Robin Wood, Jane Coop, Jonathan Feldman, and Margo Garrett.
Sources
- Piano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven) on Wikipedia
- Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on classicalmusic.about.com
- Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” on classical.net
