Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" performed by Eric Henderson on a 1969 Manuel Contreras

[@sasssquatch1467]

As a metalhead, a guitar player, and a classical music lover, this sonata gets me every single time. It's said that Beethoven wrote it after the woman he loved married another man. This isn't merely the musical product of sadness, it's a man grieving the death of his own heart. His heart was the departed, his chest was the casket, and Beethoven was the pallbearer. This is acoustic mourning. This rendition is perfection.

[@bokkirk]

Very well said

[@user00404]

war was all around the world during that time, all your friends from school being KIA is probably more sad than anything else

[@sasssquatch1467]

@@user00404 Nah, to you and me, yeah.. but they were a bit different back then. Beethoven was born in 1770, it was not uncommon back then for women to bring their children for a picnic, on the sidelines of battles near their homes. Some of which their husbands were fighting in. They saw death all the time, whether it was caused by violence, injury, exposure, starvation, or illness. They became mostly numb to death.

[@jigglybongs]

Your comment made me shed tears

[@jubiladoyaventurero958]

@@sasssquatch1467 What!? This is a ignorant comment. Talk to war veterans who were in actual combat, and they will NOT agree with your comment about feeling numb to death.

[@erikainharmony4465]

This man was my teacher. You will never find someone more passionate about guitar or more dedicated to their craft than Eric Henderson. I learned so much from him and will forever hold music and the guitar in a new light because of his lessons.

[@reinholdhubner8880]

Captivating, incessantly powerful. A proove of matured mastership. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ney57e]

Is he dead?

[@erikainharmony4465]

@@ney57e No, I moved away and had to stop taking lessons from him.

[@manuelapolista7316]

@@ney57e what a nasty question

[@Freakybananayo]

@@manuelapolista7316 agreed. There were certainly better ways of asking that sort of thing

[@gold_soulo]

This man just sang passionate melody

[@sandyahire15]

C#m is the scale of unsettling atmosphere and melancholy. Often give you chills

[@strdb9450]

Yeah but it's in a minor here 🤣

[@Guitar-pro-lk]

​@@strdb9450😂yes bro

[@seanbrrtt]

This is a minor

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

@@strdb9450That’s what the little m signifies….

[@ascendedbox612]

@@isaiahmarquez9717 This is A minor

[@cashmny78]

This right here exemplifies exactly why computers can never replace human beings when it comes to making music.

[@victorzaak]

But have you ever listened to "To skibidi or not"?

[@keithbuck1668]

I don't think people genuinely understand how much practice went into this performance.

[@donshepherd2943]

I don't think they have invented a word to describe how good this guy is. This performance is without a doubt a masterpiece. Thank you so much. Beethoven would be proud.

[@leecoops2002]

The word is virtuoso friend.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

@@leecoops2002 Sure. The word is accurate. But I think it's more than that. Classical music has to be interpreted. It was performed expertly but it was also performed with, fire. That's the word I use to mean passion or feeling. The notes are half of the equation. Btw, I'm not like, educating you or anything. I'm just making conversation. You probably know all that already. I just wanted to compliment his fire.

[@wladyslawbukowski]

I fully agree with you. What do you think about this performance? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJi0aKBmmJmFm6s

[@Ludwig_van_Beethoven70]

Yes, of course. Thank you

[@Soda_Dreams]

@@PaulTheSkepticmaestro

[@ofoulis1125]

Finally a man who devoted the time needed to correctly play this on guitar! Bravo kind sir!

[@drkrypton4410]

lying on my bed after a grueling day of work, sun going down, dogs barking out in the alleys and this comes wafting in through the open window. beautiful. thank you Eric.

[@lukewalker1051]

Was Eric out on the window ledge?

[@drkrypton4410]

@@lukewalker1051 ha, no. he's not stupid.

[@paulgoogol2652]

@@drkrypton4410 that is not stupid but a life style

[@loveyou-db4fg]

你真是一位诗人啊

[@drkrypton4410]

@@loveyou-db4fg ? pleas translate

[@kingnateoh]

I love the subconcious body language, mixed with a bit of; you can tell he's trying to so the infamous symphony justice, and he pulls it off, simply beautiful, as a guitar player myself

[@MrMkpp]

God damn... This man plays with every fibre of his being... He's just oozing passion. Every deliberate strike of the string, every note precisely annunciated to exactly how he wants it conveyed.

[@ELECTRICMOTOCROSSMACHINE]

I think Beethoven would be proud. Every note played with heart and soul.

[@idiotsaintcrazy]

Most moving interpretation i have heard. Instant tears. Incredible. I can't believe all this sensitivity going on when you know that this piece is a real torture to play on guitar. The sound is magic too. The slowdowns in the arpeggios bring life, movement and sensitivity. Thanks for this amazing work !

[@joanarling]

I agree. Usually, the variations in speed (so common among classical guitarists) give me the creeps -- but this flows like a creek through the meadows. Great!

[@narmale]

2nd best version ive heard of MS

[@vaishnavi2608]

@@narmale which one's the at the top acc to you?

[@narmale]

@@vaishnavi2608 Elly Ney, piano version, its 1950s? She plays a fantastic interpretation

[@ace-dj1dm]

classical guitars are easier on the fingers i feel

[@brianogden1789]

Long ago I played this on the piano cannot imagine doing it on the guitar. Magnificent

[@aaronanytime8897]

Do yourself a favor and learn to play it again!

[@ethanb5307]

the right hand is so impressive. even between notes moving fluidly between dolche or ponticello is crazy to me

[@matthewnelson5425]

This is at the top of my list of favorite compositions for piano and hearing and seeing this maestro perform it on guitar is one of the most beautiful things I think I've ever heard...

[@vanodyssey1659]

Makes sure to listen to Erik Satie - Gymnopedies 1, 2 and 3 and more. ;) That's my number 1.... This is my number 2.

[@Arentjansz]

I love this performance❤, deep feeling Watch/listening to him,,while painting moonlight -Paty Gatica aus Guatemala- forma Amsterdam😢

[@lucianochert7721]

Al chiar di luna meravigliosamente suonata con chitarra❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ronaldkirklandsr2488]

Bravo! Awesome!

[@gamedevbrownbus2871]

That's a beautiful guitar. This is the first time I have seen Eric Henderson play, but I gotta say, the passion he plays with is incredible.. Truly amazing performance

[@gailcrowe727]

Can we have some more please Eric.

[@sk8pkl]

I listen to this specific video pretty much every day at work when i am on the road and i cant get enough of it. The sound and technique is absolutely impressive and blissfull. It helps out alot keeping your cool in a traffic jam.

[@TheMrsinis]

O original é ao piano. Primeira vez que vejo ao violao. É musica para acalmar nossa alma inquieta nos momentos atuais. E este professor sente esta musica tal qual seu autor. Sonata ao luar.

[@paulerickson1906]

I wonder how many hours were put invested in learning every note perfectly played? Wow. Music that was written hundreds of years ago still touches the heart.

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

Completed in 1801👌

[@paulc3960]

He is gifted and talent. For normal people no matter how many hours they have spent on practicing this piece they still make mistakes and not as good as him.

[@rulesOfChaos_]

@@paulc3960 I hate that sentiment because to me it sounds both like an excuse not to try and like he hadn't had to work for it. Yes, he might be talented or even gifted, but he wouldn't be able to perform at that level if he hadn't put effort and countless hours into his craft. And if he had never started to put the work in, he would have never realised his potential.

[@Crime_pays]

At least 10 years of dedication

[@anh-tainguyen9840]

@@rulesOfChaos_ completely agree with you - most people don't know how many talents are under the graves. Talent alone is not enough.

[@Cinetyk]

I'm not a musician myself, 'm only a common person born in Portugal in 1984. I've always enjoyed classical music, Beethoven and Mozart are amongst my favourites, but this performance just go over the top of anything. I cannot explain it but there is something so intimate and special about the guitar being played - the piano cannot quite capture it. This performance is like all that my soul has ever resonated with in my live in different minute little sounds the guitar brings to the feeling of the music... I hope people from around the world listen to this and be touched

[@katiemeloan7897]

Cinetyk, you say you are not a musician, "only a common person"....but I know from what you say you heard in this piece that you have a musicians heart, my friend. I've been playing guitar since 1969 and I could play another hundred years and never even come close to Eric's work on this piece---but Cinetyk, that doesn't matter. Being a musician isn't a destination, it's a journey. Find an instrument, any instrument, and start on your heart's journey. Katie, a friend in Colorado USA

[@lionre]

​@@katiemeloan7897Well said!

[@bunbynoy]

Oh my goshhh about 1:25 you really see how he plays feeling the music flow from his heart through his entire body to be channeled through the guitar. He is no longer playing, as he is EXPRESSING the guitar~. Very very amazing.

[@joelgilbert386]

Thank you sir. Very nice.

[@enriquebenitez2615]

Tengo 80 años y esto es Lo mas bello que he escuchado

[@CleoCat75]

dang, the timing and FORCE of plucking is all off. IMO. Love that you posted this.

[@godfreyzilla8608]

A genius composer. A truly virtuoso performance by a true virtuoso. Life is good! Thanks for posting.

[@Guithulhu]

I love this version so much. I have to keep coming back to watch it again and again. Masterfully played.

[@felixheinimann8968]

At the expression in his Face you can really See how much he feels it and transfers this emotion in to his playing.

[@marcd1981]

I really enjoy hearing these classical compositions played on the guitar. This sounded like a piano in the first few seconds before showing Mr. Henderson playing the guitar. Thank you, and Happy New Year, 2024!

[@markharrisllb]

Thank you for posting this and thank you Mr Henderson for recording it, it was a privilege to watch and listen to it.

[@markbare2817]

Bitchin' wonderful song and player, absolutely perfect passion.

[@thetransmogrifer2522]

It does not get any better than that Mr. Henderson! The Barrios influence is clearly there. Just pure magic!! I never thought I'd hear that on a 6 string classical instrument. The rest of my emotions and reverence just can't be put into words. This video is a gift in every way.

[@zroxnbolo5649]

im loving the rocker faces he is making in some parts haha this was fantastic

[@Tmanaz480]

Sounds like it was composed for guitar. The little moments of vibrato that a piano can't do...Wonderful interpretation.

[@matticeverhoeven6539]

Not to mention all the different tone colours Eric adds!

[@italovidigal1990]

@@matticeverhoeven6539 magical right hand technics indeed

[@Uglybuttfiend]

And what's funny is I searched for this half expecting it to not yield results, as I figured this song was straight made for piano, but this is just as good if not better.

[@unwaveringdiscipline5489]

@@Uglybuttfiend watch vera danilina play rondo alla turka. i still get fits of inferiority complex haha

[@Orion-hx9ig]

This man has been a great source of inspiration for me to learn THIS piece of music and I now play it every day. It's been my favorite piece of music since I heard him play it.

[@Aditya-dw4kz]

Pure Gold! Master of this instrument playing it on such a refined guitar with great recording quality. I'm lucky to be able to listen to this for free

[@woodrow1037]

One of my favorite pieces, performed extremely well. Thank you.

[@dl22al10]

You went from the Stones to Beethoven. You sir are amazing!

[@trixannavananglen5014]

played with passion and caring!

[@liviofn7391]

This Maestro is incredibly talented. It is hard to believe that guitar can be brought up to such a level of poetry. This piece has not been conceived to be played on guitar at all and the technical issues have been solved flawlessly by this genius of music. Thank you Maestro!

[@Ren-fx5ti]

God I love watching people feel the music they're playing. Your brain just takes a back seat in those moments

[@rickrodrigues2219]

"Moonlight Sonata"- a complex piece of music excellently executed by Señor Contreras. Muchas gracias!

[@Rafaelrgui]

Valeu!

[@glennmoeller5801]

Beautifully and lovingly played! I started learning this piece 45 yrs ago but never finished but watching this video has inspired me to work on it again. Amazing work of art! Bravo!

[@it.raw317sj]

This video is the best confirmation of the thesis that music is the best product of the human genius and mind. Nothing compares to music in terms of the power of its emotional impact on a person. Especially when the work is performed at such a high level of skill.

[@thomaswomack3888]

that was just gorgeous Eric...I appreciate your gift more than you can possibly know. My father who is now long dead and gone was an aspiring classical guitarist and worshiped the ground Andre Segovia walked on and as his son I gained a great appreciation for both the difficulty of playing the instrument both thru my own struggles and observing my father's struggles with it. Your performance reminded so much of my one experience of seeing Segovia play in New York City as a young teenager ever changed after that day by the experience. I am ever grateful to my father and Segovia for that experience and its impact on my life. And subsequently to you as well for your masterful presentation of this hauntingly beautiful peace of music. I am sure Ludwig is smiling at you.

[@mariox20]

I just discovered this performance, and it is absolutely perfect. Haunting melodies, passionate. It blows my mind to think that this piece was written hundreds of years ago.

[@reinholdhubner8880]

Captivating, incessantly powerful. A proove of matured mastership. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@samirmokdad6459]

Listening to Beethoven is very welcome in these troubled times we are going through. Many thanks for this gentleman for playing Moonlight Sonata so perfectly. Stockholm - Sweden.

[@d.d.70]

This man, with this song, on this guitar...simply amazing!!😁😁👌🏼

[@raccoon874]

it is not a song

[@markneedham8726]

Si. Song it is. A piece that is a song. Beautifull.

[@steverichardson8080]

Songs are sung; this is a composition. If there were more instruments it would be an arrangement. But if you wanted to make it simple, you could call it an instrumental, I guess.

[@ssnoc]

The dexterity and stamina necessary to perform this is mind blowing in itself … Now do it perfectly without any mistakes or muffled notes - this is truly perfection.

[@zlatkodraskovic5532]

Beethoven would have bursted into tears watching and listening Mr.Henderson’s interpretation. Absolute masterpiece… Bravissimo Maestro 🙏🏽👏🏾

[@muz977ify]

dude you cant hear how every note is slapping us in the face? its supposed to be played in piano with forte in certain parts

[@jacobforrester9827]

@@muz977ify I'll just repeat what I wrote as my comment on this... He makes this guitar speak with Ludwig's accent. Most play Moonlight Sonata as if it were written by Chopin or Schumann. He has the softness, grace, and flow, sure, but the pronouncement of some of the notes of emotional rise have the barely sleeping volcano that Beethoven had in the core of his being. The power of this piece as it was played by this man... I truly believe, he captured the very essence of Ludwig Von Beethoven, not just the notes.

[@BernieHolland-w4l]

Beethoven would have burst into tears because he couldn't hear it

[@jfrog1979]

Or there’s the very real possibility that he woulda erupted into a fit of rage and started flinging chairs around🤘😆

[@tonywright8294]

No he wouldn’t he was deaf !

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Beautiful sir

[@mikeguthrie5432]

I love Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". This is the first time I have heard it played on a guitar. Actually not played, but "caressed". Very moving and beautifully done. Thank you Sir for this "gift".

[@GooberGoo-mz8jv]

Wow , this is awesome playing :)

[@stubbsmusic543]

Magnificent! And how cool that you would bring Beethoven to the heavy metal audience. Because, when you play it THAT way, It reinforces the idea of what many of us already knew - Beethoven ROCKS!

[@mariojuranko3760]

My lover...my guitar...exactly those looks and touches...

[@ColtDee]

Wonderful so much emotion reverberating through me, its heavenly.

[@timhalley6987]

Achingly beautiful. I close my eyes and go to a far more serene and beautiful place. Exquisite. Thank you.

[@84rinne_moo]

What a brilliant play. Doesn’t over embellish but let’s the notes talk and adds those little intricacies that bring out the depth of the piece. Amazing!

[@wladyslawbukowski]

I fully agree with you. What do you think about this performance? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJi0aKBmmJmFm6s

[@J0nny61]

Simply beautiful and inspired me to play more.

[@naphtali58]

By far the best rendition on guitar I have ever heard

[@jazzguitarconti]

Bravo, Grande Bella Musica ! ! Robert Conti

[@astrodad656]

Simply put: compelling, virtuoso, passionate, fantastic. Thank you.

[@gailcrowe727]

Excellent.

[@danielgrant4543]

I love the way he doesn't just play the music he is inside it

[@br3atheitin197]

You would feel no emotion in the interpretation otherwise :)

[@eastlundwendell9907]

He’s all up in the music’s guts

[@StevieVman1]

Under rated So glad I found this. Composed for piano 🎹 of course But his interpretation and ability to convey the emotions of this absolute classic piece and impact full composers of all time. FANTASTIC 🎉

[@ColtDee]

I had to hear this again, lovely piece and played masterfully Bravo maestro.

[@ColtDee]

Still I'm drawn by the beautiful music played masterfully.

[@peterkovachevich]

Eric is a sublime player!

[@tonyburkys]

Stunning virtuosity and feeling on a magnificent piece of music . This man not only knows how to play it but also what it’s all about .

[@marctucciaronemusic7738]

I loved how expressive his playing is !!!!

[@TheMicrofox]

What I love most next to the lovely playing of classical guitarists is their grimacing.

[@lacedhexes]

I believe every musician on any instrument has this face, some just hide it more. It's the whole body that plays the music. 😄

[@Steven-jf4cs]

When I just saw the tile with his expression I had to watch. I agree with laced hexes that ever musician expresses themselves distinctly.

[@violetlight8138]

I cried. So beautiful. This classical song by Beethoven moves me like no other classical song can an I love how passionate he plays it.

[@robertomighty4562]

Thoughtful arrangement. Intensely performed. Beautifully played. ¡Gracias Maestro!

[@andrewcruz1931]

Beautiful playing ! Love the passion .

[@김주윤-f3o]

You're the reason why I'm learning guitar. I hope you're doing well for ever~

[@b.c.8018]

Stunning... beautiful... That released so many good neurochemicals into my brain that I am in a state of calm elation...absolutely magnificent...

[@daviddelapaz435]

Just awesome! Bravo!

[@NattyGuy]

Simply wow. Never in my life heard this song played with so much passion. Best interpretation of this song i have ever heard.

[@mrthomas394]

5 minutes of playing that takes 10 years to master 👍👍

[@robertskinxd8850]

10 years? this man probably has over 40-50 years of practice

[@DazUK81]

10 years 🤣🤣🤣 try a lifetime

[@MrAtomicPig]

Rest sure, you can play no worse after 2-3 years of practice. If you practice, of course :)

[@steverichardson8080]

@@MrAtomicPig A couple of my teachers have said it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become proficient in playing an instrument, double that to master it. So if you practice 50 hours/week, it'll take you 4 years to become truly good at playing guitar, 8 years to fully master it, but you can never max out on practice.

[@lifenote1943]

@@steverichardson8080 Ok this is more of a pet peeve but I HATE, the "it takes x years to be truly good at this". First of all "truly good" is VERY vague and subjective, and secondly time spent varies quite drastically. But the idea of a guitarist being "truly good" is just, ughhh it really irritates me. More so on the universal concept of a level of expertise. If you have a guitarist that's solid technically, and plays with the same generic rubato as 99% of other guitarists under the sun, are they truly good? Probably by classical standards. But what about someone who's maybe a little less solid but actually is unique and brings something new to the table? Or hell even if they were just as good, would they be considered "truly good" in the strict definitions and standards that are used in the classical community? Sorry I know my tirade has barely anything to do with your comment, I'm just annoyed by classifying musicians into skill brackets. Like music is just a technical exercise like snooker or something. Well I guess in classical technique is 99% of what matters, so idk, in every other genre of music, creativity and expression are valued a lot more highly.

[@2l8mate59]

First time I have heard this guy but that was awesome! Thank you! Guido Macini does a great version as well. Thats two I've found.

[@mishikay_music8997]

In case you are unaware this man has a tutorial series on youtube for free on how to play this piece it was very cool

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Beautiful.

[@richardcasey7521]

Beautifully done. Thank you!

[@48guitars]

Eric Henderson the best teacher ever, was my teacher in 2001. Love Ya

[@veradabronyi6147]

Wunderschöne Musik, perfekte Interpretation, vielen Dank!

[@bang2subekti]

The way he plug n expresed every tone like rain drop in the ocean of joy.... respectfuly and enjoy it very much.......

[@poladelarosa8399]

Perfect tempo, graceful rubato, refined taste. ¡Bravo y gracias maestro!

[@Natalia-hh8nl]

Bringing tears, deeply touching, just beautiful performance. Thank you

[@vannguyen-ef8hk]

Bright and superb performance like the moonlight.

[@bindawang3322]

so beautiful and moonlight sonata also is one my favourite pieces of Beethoven's music.

[@ross9581]

WOW, amazing, I can't even think how difficult this piece is and the time it needs to render this version. Super!

[@steverichardson8080]

6 months, 1-2 hours a day. The secret is only adding 1 new line each week.

[@LukasDeBoll1954]

Mr. Henderson, this transcription is very convincing. Much more the way of yor interpretation. Greetings from Germany

[@larrycortner2210]

i cant imagine how many hours you rehearsed this , thank you sir excellent and outstanding .

[@simdse-kk2ir]

Great performance...❤❤❤

[@TheTubelerone]

Wish I had him as my teacher. Wonderful and inspiring