Here’s a later performance by of Franz Peter Schubert‘s “Moment Musical #3 in F Minor” by legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz. Limelight Magazine called Horowitz “a Russian-born pianist who left for the West at age 21, where he was described as a ‘tornado unleashed from the steppes’…Most famous for his performances of Romantic piano repertoire…”
There are several passing keys of the moment in the piece, but the main transition into F major is at 1:50.
The Piano Sonata #16 (1788) is among the most familiar pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart‘s works. The piece was described by Mozart himself as having been written “for beginners” and it is sometimes known by the nickname “sonata facile.” The piece is well-known today but was not published during the composer’s lifetime, first appearing in print in 1805.
Starting in C major, the first movement (Allegro) transitions to G major by 0:22 and back to C at 0:47. At 1:32, the movement cycles through a few minor keys as well.
Franz Liszt‘s Nocturne #3 (“Liebestraum,” 1850) begins in Ab major and jumps to B major at 1:28. At 1:45, it begins a rapid cycle through other keys, starting with C major. Pianist Matyas Novac delivers this Romantic period gem with such mastery and reverence!
But don’t take our word for it: Pianotv has produced an insanely detailed description of the piece (second video) — by request, no less!
Today we are featuring the first movement (Adagio Sostenuto) of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s iconic Moonlight Sonata (#14 in C Minor, 1801). One of the composer’s more prominent students, Carl Czerny, described the movement as “a nocturnal scene, in which a mournful ghostly voice sounds from the distance.” According to biographer Alexander Thayer, the movement was immediately and overwhelmingly popular — Beethoven was said to have been irked by this development to the point that he remarked to Czerny, “Surely, I’ve written better things.”
The piece modulates many times throughout. Just for starters: C# minor at 0:00; E major at 0:40; and B minor 1:12.
Here’s a performance of Ralph M. Johnson’s “This House of Peace” (2011) by The St. Olaf Choir, the top choral ensemble at St. Olaf College. Johnson is a Minnesota-based composer who has written works for choir, solo voice, and the theater. A chill-inducing modulation comes out of nowhere at 5:43.
Here’s a live recording of pianist Eric Lu performing Franz Schubert‘s Impromptu in E-flat major (Op. 90, 1827). Gramophone describes this impromptu and its companions as “quintessential Schubert, because they speak in the intimate tone and idiom of the drawing-room rather than the concert hall.” The first of many modulations occurs at only 0:26.
From longtime MotD correspondent Carlo Migliaccio, today we feature P.D.Q. Bach’s MotD debut with the 1712 Overture. There are a few modulations throughout the piece, but a definitive one occurs at 4:45 before a return to the original key at 5:28.
Here is Edvard Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite #1: Anitra’s Dream“ (1876), accompanying the world-class hunting techniques of the Short-Eared Owl. The main theme, starting in minor as the piece begins, is re-stated briefly in a major key at 1:16, reverting back to minor at 1:25.
Here is the maestro Leonard Bernstein conducting his composition “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide (1956). Key changes at 1:42 and 3:02.
Here’s contemporary composer and keyboardist Glasys (Gil Assayas), who toured with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia Tour 2018. Hailing originally from Israel but now based in Portland, Oregon, he’s somehow brought a slice of Frédéric Chopin‘s sound into the 21st century with this track, 2017’s “Unwinder.” There are several modulations, starting as early as 0:10.
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