Adagio sostenuto (Moonlight Sonata), Op. 27, No. 2

As I am rapidly approaching my 2000 upload, I've been trying to decide what to do for it. I guess I've narrowed it down to a major Bach work, or another big Rowley piece.

In the meantime, I came across William T. Best's transcription of Beethoven's piano masterpiece.

The "Moonlight Sonata" was published in 1802, and is dedicated to Gräfin Giulietta Guicciardi. Beethoven (16 December 1770 — 26 March 1827) was 32 years old when he composed this.

William Thomas Best (13 August 1826 — 10 May 1897) studied at Carlisle Cathedral under John Norman and Abraham Young. Organist of the Pembroke Road Chapel, Liverpool, 1840-55; the Church for the Blind, Liverpool, 1847; the Royal Panopticon, Leicester Square, London, 1853-54; Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, 1854; St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, 1855; St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, 1855-94; Wallasey Parish Church, Birkenhead, 1860-63; Holy Trinity, Liverpool, 1863; West Derby Parish Church, 1879. He was engaged in 1871 to give recitals at the Royal Albert Hall (stayed for only a short time), and was the solo Organist at the Handel festival at the Crystal Palace. Opened the organ in Sydney Town Hall, 1890. Was one of the greatest English Organists of his time. Received a Civil List pension of £100 per annum. Composed church services, anthems, organ pieces, &c. b. Carlisle, England, Aug. 13th, 1826; d. Liverpool, May 10th, 1897 (buried in Childwell Churchyard).

Best was certainly the most famous British organist of the time, and was proclaimed by none other than Franz Liszt to be THE greatest virtuoso on ANY instrument!

The score (the entire book of transcriptions) is attached below, as well as a photo of W. T. Best, and one of the great Willis organ in St. George's Hall, Liverpool.

I intend to hit 2000 uploads THIS week, so, I hope you will check the final few coming towards the target.

THANKS for listening and commenting!