Why did he play better than he had often done before large audiences? He realized how greatly his work was appreciated; and he was deeply touched by the thought of the young girl's blindness, her poverty, her skill, and her passion for good music. What trifling occurrence now affects the story? The last candle in the house burned out, so the writer opened the shutters and admitted "a flood of brilliant moonlight". What effect had this upon the composer? It changed the current of his thoughts and feelings. How did he appear? "His head dropped upon his breast", and "his hands rested upon his knees". What is the next action? The young shoemaker asks Beethoven who he is. What did the composer answer? "He played the opening bars of the Sonata in F." This revealed his name. The writer says that the young people "covered his hands with tears and kisses". What were their feelings? Their actions were expressions of their affection and admiration. What takes place next? The brother and sister beseech him to play "once more". What description is given here? Beethoven's appearance in the moonlight. Describe him. He was very "massive" in size, his head was large and his features strong, and the light from the moon encircled his head. (Produce a picture, if possible, of Beethoven.) Did he agree to play again? Yes, he said he would "improvise a Sonata to the Moonlight". What does "improvise" mean? He would compose the music as he played. Had this any relation to what goes before? Yes, the writer has told us how thoughtful he had been when the moonlight first streamed into the room. Now he is going to express his thoughts and feelings through the tones of the piano. We said at the beginning that a Sonata was a musical composition consisting of various movements. What are the movements? In this case there is first, "a sad and infinitely lovely movement", then, "a wild, elfin passage in triple time", and lastly, "a breathless, hurrying, trembling" close. Let us examine this description of the "Moonlight Sonata" more closely. What did the moonlight suggest to Beethoven? "Spirits" dancing in the moonlight. What does the first movement suggest? The "moonlight" flowing "over the dark earth". What does the second movement suggest? The wild dance of the "spirits on the lawn". What does the last suggest? "Flight", "uncertainty", "impulsive terror". What was the effect upon the listeners? They were left in a state of "wonder" and "emotion".