Moonlight Sonata for a Dumbo

Nightowl

I love the Moonlight Sonata and hope to play it one day, so I have been watching various renditions of the piece on YouTube. I recently discovered this gem:

I was mesmerised from start to finish, and from the body language of the single audience member they seemed to feel similarly. I love the fact that somebody has a piano outside, so they can play Moonlight Sonata under moonlight, for any wildlife that might happen to wander along. 🙂

I wondered what was going on in the elephant's head... did they appreciate the beautiful music as much as any human? Or perhaps they are attached to the owner in some way (it was filmed in an elephant sanctuary and I think the pianist spends time with them). What would happen if the pianist played some type of modern rock music? Perhaps the animal would quickly leave?

I know that some forum members find that their pets seem to enjoy sitting nearby during their piano sessions... have you noticed whether they seem to have any preferences for particular types of music?

Anyway, I hope this video raises a smile.

Sophia

Nightowl know that some forum members find that their pets seem to enjoy sitting nearby during their piano sessions... have you noticed whether they seem to have any preferences for particular types of music?

Absolutely!!! Our Simba is a classical snob. He adores Mozart. Any time I practise that, he immediately parks himself on top of the piano. Other styles are more hit and miss. Depends on his mood I guess.

Lionel and Sandy are musical philistines - they much prefer tormenting their poor defenceless robot vacuum sibling.

pianoloverus

Nightowl

pianoloverus Thanks for that link - very interesting. They took trouble to position the piano in the right spot and gave the elephant time to get used to it being there. The elephant seems to have a bond with the pianist, it's lovely to see. The piano bench appears to be at a slight angle and the pianist got his legs a bit wet and muddy but nonetheless it didn't seem to affect his playing. 🙂

WieWaldi

This is an amazing channel. I doubt I will find the video again, but I remember it. It was the way they are transporting this piano with a pickup truck. And then there is a handful of young man, helping to load and unload the piano every time. This instrument seem to be very robust. If I compare this to the home use only ones, that are treated like a raw egg when moved. But of course, this outside piano might suffer here and there a few scratches more.

Nightowl

Sophia Simba is so classy! I expect he watches them with disdain when they play with the AI robot! 😁

WieWaldi Yes, especially if the elephants start trying to play it! I fear they might have a somewhat heavy-handed approach! 🙃

HeartKeys

Sophia Our Simba

your cat's name is Simba? so is mine!

Sophia

Nice!!! 😊

Sophia

I think elephants might be more into brass anyway.... 🎺

Nightowl

Sophia Yep! Someone had to go there! 🙃

Maybe if there are some rhinos nearby they could form a horn section. 🙂

Sophia

And the crickets can add some of the violin sounds... 🦗

Nightowl

Maybe the birds can add a few trills to the performance. 🙂

pseudonym58

Since our dog tends to park himself underneath the grand piano, I think he appreciates anything mf and quieter.

keff

With regard to the first movement of the "Moonlight" I wonder what the elephant thinks about the tune and where it starts.