There is an indisputable historical link between Beethoven and Indian culture: in his quest to fathom the depths of this culture, and captivated by the translation of the Upanishads that was published in Germany in 1816, he immersed himself well and truly in these ancient texts, just as Schopenhauer did, or like Goethe discovering the great Persian poet Hafez when writing his last major collection, the 'West-Eastern Divan'. We see here a mystical Beethoven, scrutinising man and the cosmos and especially curious about other cultures.
1 Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, "Moonlight": I. Adagio Sostenuto (With Alaap in Raag Jaunpuri Introduction)
2 Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, "Moonlight": II. Allegretto (With Alaap and Gat in Raag Darbari Introduction)
3 Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, "Moonlight": III. Presto Agitato (With Alaap and Gat in Raag Shyam Kalyan Introduction)
4 Alaap & Gat in Raag Bihaag
5 Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata": I. Allegro Assai
6 Alaap and Gat in Raag Tilak Kamod
7 Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata": II. Andante Con Moto (With Sitar Variation Alaap in Raag Kirwani - Tabla Variation
8 Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata": III. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo (Coda with Piano, Sitar and Tabla)
There is an indisputable historical link between Beethoven and Indian culture: in his quest to fathom the depths of this culture, and captivated by the translation of the Upanishads that was published in Germany in 1816, he immersed himself well and truly in these ancient texts, just as Schopenhauer did, or like Goethe discovering the great Persian poet Hafez when writing his last major collection, the 'West-Eastern Divan'. We see here a mystical Beethoven, scrutinising man and the cosmos and especially curious about other cultures.
