The Beethoven Sonatas : Moonlight ~ Adelaide Festival 2026 ~ Music Review

Ukaria Cultural Centre, Mt Barker Sun 1st Mar 2026 Bleak weather has not deterred music lovers from making the trek by car or mini bus to fill the idyllic Ukaria Cultural Centre in Mt Barker, to be enthralled by a virtuoso performance by acclaimed Finnish pianist, conductor and composer Olli Mustonen. There is an air of expectation as people gather in the foyer for this third of a three part cycle of Beethoven sonatas. Under the title “Moonlight” four Beethoven sonatas are showcased this afternoon. The opening one is No 12 in A Flat Major, Op 26 which contains the ‘funeral march’. My favourite section is the scherzo: Allegro molto. Mustonen seems to relish all the innovative rhythms in this and plays with verve throughout but also with such searching emotion, especially in the slow movement. This is followed by Sonata No 13 in E flat major, where again Mutonen’s mastery and understanding of Beethoven’s artistry is on full display. After interval there is a change of pace and we are treated to a most sublime rendering of the Sonata No 14 in C sharp minor, Op 27, which many of us know as the Moonlight sonata. The opening movement is a definite Swoon moment – full of yearning and so beautifully interpreted.  The contrast between the first and third movements is then built impressively and concludes with all the tempestuous emotion you could want and expect from this piece. The final sonata in today’s program is piano sonata No 31 in A flat major Op 110, and once again the audience is spellbound. At the end there is a standing ovation from many in the audience and we are rewarded with an encore. This cycle of 13 Beethoven sonatas as performed by Mustonen is an Australian exclusive and it is easy to see why people invested a weekend to listening to all three programs and relishing Mustonen’s prowess. Impressive indeed. 5 Stars Cathy Tune #TheClothesline