I play Moonlight Sonata regularly.

There is a transcription by Carlos Salzedo of the Adagio from the “Moonlight Sonata,” published by Lyra Music. Lots of pedal changes, but not too difficult. People always seem to like it when I include it at a gig.

I agree June! I don’t know why people keep asking for Beethoven and even Chopin! It’s awkward to play and it just doesn’t sound right to me, but people like to hear those familiar songs like that.

I love Moonlight Sonata- just starting to look at it on the harp. It does have a lot of accidentals so this one will take me some time to learn. I’ve heard it played on lever harp by Pamela Bruner and it’s just beautiful. I hope someday will a lot of work I can do this piece justice.

Karen

Standard gig rep for some people you mean…..

I had “Air” requested twice recently for weddings.

How do harp arrangements of the Air address the sustained notes that are a primary element of the piece?

From the musical standpoint, I can see a sense of internal conflict with playing something that can’t actually be appropriately realized on the instrument- I’m thinking Flight of the Bumblebee on the tuba for instance.

That said, I suppose if I were playing tuba professionally and a bride requested that I play FOTBB on my tuba for her to process to, and I wanted to be hired by the bride, I’d do it.

I guess the “Beautyisintheeyeofthebeholder” (or ear of the listener) principle applies.