Beethoven’s Fantasy from Piano Sonata 13, Op. 27 No. 1 arr. Brian Slawson

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) is regarded by many as the greatest composer in the history of music. He was prone to sudden mood swings often reflected in his music. This excerpt from his Piano Sonata 13, Op.27 No. 1 is no exception, as the original dark, introspective material is later contrasted by music that is light and humorous.

Brian Slawson brings Beethoven’s piano solo to life by way of intimate scoring for mallet percussion trio (glockenspiel, vibraphone, and marimba). While relatively simple on the page, its challenge lies in the player’s ability to communicate as one. The 3/4 meter progresses at a brisk pace while the marimba and vibraphone parts support pulse-driven answers to the glockenspiel melody, creating a back-and-forth dialogue.