rationalskepticism.org

orpheus wrote:Ah, Ludvig van's piano sonata no. 27 in c-sharp minor. Interestingly enough, the nickname "Moonlight" did not originate with LvB. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it (and Wiki is is pretty accurate in this case): "

Wikipedia wrote:The name "Moonlight Sonata" has its origins in remarks by the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab. In 1832, five years after Beethoven's death, Rellstab likened the effect of the first movement to that of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne.[4] Within ten years, the name "Moonlight Sonata" ("Mondscheinsonate" in German) was being used in German[5] and English[6] publications. Later in the nineteenth century, the sonata was universally known by that name.[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._14_%28Beethoven%29


Beethoven did give it a subtitle, though: "Quasi una fantasia". The structure is rather unusual - it departs from strict sonata form; this may be one reason. Not sure if that has anything to do with our creationist's contention - except that that's a fantasy too (though of a different sort).

I wonder what he would make of "Canti Lunatici" (Moon Songs), by my composer friend Bernard Rands. The work consists of 30 minutes of continuous music for soprano and chamber ensemble; woven into the fabric of the music are settings of fifteen poems - in an assortment of languages - all having to do with the moon. I've conducted it several times, and love it dearly. But I doubt this character would like the music at all; it's far too subtle, complex and multifaceted - just as are poems about the moon. It's not all "beautiful songs" as the guy says. Some are beautiful, some are simple, some are intricate, others shadowy, ominous, and at least one setting is something of a surreal nightmare. (Oddly, in that particular one, Bernard throws in a quote from the Beethoven sonata.)

Whether or not any of this music - or facts about the music - would shake this clown's belief is doubtful.