Brought to you by the Write…Edit…Publish team and inspired by Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven, a timeless masterpiece he composed in 1801.
Originally titled Sonata una quasi Fantasia -Piano Sonata No 14 in C sharp minor, it became extremely popular during the composer’s lifetime.
Five years after Beethoven’s death, poet and music critic Ludwig Rellstab said it brought to mind the moon setting over Lake Lucerne, thus giving it the evocative nickname we know today.
This month’s hosts are Denise Covey and Yolanda Renee.
Suggestions from the team:
There are a million ways to interpret this challenge – use the title to define your setting, a water body, a full moon, a floating craft, a romantic evening…
Use it to devise your character – a werewolf, a vampire, a modern-day witch/wizard… Use the backstory to create your flash about circumstances scuppering a relationship…or a nickname coming to define something/someone…
Beethoven’s life itself can inspire a thousand stories – listen to his music composed 200+ years ago and go where the muse takes you. And take us right along with you for the ride!
I went with the first bizarre idea that popped into my head! 😀
The image of water stuck too, and I chose traditional verse.TAGLINE: Who was that mysterious pianist?
🎙️Audio Version:🎙️
The familiar strains of Moonlight Sonata
Wafted through the open window
What’s this he mused, putting down the ciabatta
He grabbed the phone and called Jasindo
There’s a guy on the beach playing piano
He’s so intense and pounding the keys
Get over here right now, Paisano
You’ve never seen such expertise
The two men gaped in awe and wonder
As the pianist’s hands flew back and forth
And then they heard a crack of thunder
While a chilly wind blew in from the north
A bolt of lightning struck the player
As he began the Presto Agitato
His hands caught fire – he didn’t have a prayer
The blistered notes became staccato
The screams were heard for miles around
As flames consumed the hapless men
A heap of ashes on the ground
Was all they found next morn’ at ten
Who was that unknown musician?
How did the piano get there?
No point calling the mortician
Those remains were beyond repair
The mystery was never solved
And rumours flew for many years
Still, nobody became involved
The beach absorbed a lot of tears
Word count: 183
FCA
Tagline: Who was that mysterious pianist?Images created by me, using elements from Canva Pro.
For some outstanding writing, click HERE to see what the other participants are offering.
**WEP TEAM**
Denise Covey-Founder/Host / Yolanda Renee – Co-Host / L.G. Keltner – Co Host
Nilanjana Bose – Co-Host / Jemi Fraser – Co-Host / Olga Godim – Badges
Nick Wilford – Judge / Lee McKenzie – IWSG Liason
MOONLIGHT SONATA #WEP #WEPFF August 2022 #WritingChallenge #dogladysden #creativewriting #poetry Click To Tweet
Cheers!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
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59 thoughts on “MOONLIGHT SONATA | #WEP AUGUST 2022”
Moral of the story: Never play the piano on a beach.
That could well be it! 😀 Thank you for coming by, Bernadette, and congrats on being part of the winners group.
Thanks Debbie 😀
This was a lot of fun and I loved the illustrations. Although I did feel a bit sorry for the pianist!
Thanks, I had a lot of fun putting it together. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
What a treat to read the story with the images portraying the scenes. “blistered notes”–that caught my attention. Well-done.
Welcome to The Den and thank you for those kind words! 🙂
I liked the images you interspersed with your prose. Good job.
Thank you, Lee! 🙂 I had fun putting this together.
Haunting, surreal and poetic all at the same time. This was great! Has the feel of an urban myth to it, or a shaggy dog tale. The images are excellent, too.
Thank you for those kind words, Nick! Love the idea of an urban myth. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed my submission.
The power of music? You got me thinking about the mystery. Very interesting.
Thank you so much, Sonia. Music has many powers. 🙂
An imaginative and descriptive take on the prompt. Well done, Debbie.
Thank you so much, Christopher and welcome to The Den! 🙂 I had fun putting this together.
Wow. I’ve heard of people’s hands on fire at the piano, but this is extreme! Dramatic description. I enjoyed hearing you read.
I was going for something off-the-wall. 😀 Thanks for listening to the audio version, Mary. Cheers!
Unexpected and intriguing.
Thanks – that what I was going for! 😀
Your poetry is striking, and the images you used greatly added to the impact. A strange and mysterious tale indeed. Very enjoyable!
Thanks for those kind words, Laura. 🙂 I had fun putting this together.
Wow, good job Deb. Very clever telling and perfect images to complement. <3
Thanks a lot, Deb! 🙂 I had fun putting this together.
Wow, fantastic poem with awesome images. Cool take on the prompt. Hmm, wonder who the mystery pianist was. Maybe he’ll come back as a piano playing ghost???
Hahaha! Good suggestion, or maybe he was an alien? 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed my little ditty. Thanks Lenny! 🙂
Debbie, I love your playful take on the prompt. The images are priceless.
Thank you for the entertainment.
Excellent – exactly what I was going for! 😀 Thanks Michelle.
This post was an great experience, Debbie. Loved the illustrations and music with your post. It really lightened my mood! Thank you for sharing this 😀
I’m glad you liked it, Damyanti. 🙂 My muse can take many forms.
What a fun (and successfully irreverent) take on the music. The poem was a delight, illustrated the music itself which I found very clever and I was impressed by all the illustrations as well. You are so creative.
Thank you so much, Kalpana! 😀 I took the first silly thought and ran with it.
Debbie, this was delightful. It is the whole package – the poetry, the illustrations, the music, the intrigue. Written by someone in love with music as you are. Thank you for sharing your brilliance with WEP.
Thank you for that high prasie, Denise! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it. 😀
Love the images! Fun story. For some strange reason it reminded me of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” It just popped into my head. A mystery player banging away at the keys until lightning strikes. Something’s driving him. He’s there for a reason. Compelling story.
Thank you, Shannon. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
My guess is that, having read this, Beethoven- suppressing a chuckle- might have said, “This lot has spent too much time in the Congress of Vienna afterparties…”
Thank you for that witty comment! I’m grinning here. 😀
One of Beethoven’s best works. Beautiful.
Have a fabulous day, Debbie. ♥
Definitely! Thank you, Sandee. ♥
Hey Debbie
Short and sweet. Who was that guy? No one know, but what an end.
Nancy
Maybe he was an alien? We’ll never know! 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Nancy. Thanks for coming by!
Hi Debbie! I really enjoyed your take on the prompt. The visuals added so much to the story and they are quite fun! Well done.
Thanks so much, Michael! 🙂 I had a lot of fun putting this together.
Love your little story in images. Charming!
Thank you, Olga. This was a fun project. 🙂
Hi Debbie – I loved your take … if he’s a real person – I’ve no idea, otherwise it’s a great story … such a clever take on the prompt. Really clever writing … delightful – cheers Hilary
Maybe he’s an alien! 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Hilary. Thanks for coming by!
Love the quality of your creation! I love listening to the sonata. Adds to the creativity of the writer.
And the beach does absorb a LOT of tears!
Thank you so much, Yolanda! 🙂 The sonata definitely fed my muse.
Poor mystery pianist. Maybe his playing was so beautiful that Selene took him right up with a little help from Zeus. This piece actually figures several times in my WIP, where it is something my musician often plays to soothe a family member and maybe himself.
I love your take on this! 🙂 Moonlight Sonata is a beautiful piece and yes, also soothing. Thanks for coming by.
Nicely done – loved the combination of poem, images, and mystery!
Thanks, Jemi! 🙂 It was a fun project.
Hi,
How sad! I kept expecting more verses to bring a sweeter ending.
Poignant and filled with emotion, your poetry is done very well.
Shalom aleichem
Hi Pat, I thought the sad ending would be more impactful. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Great work, and extra kudos for creating the perfect images to accompany it.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete! 🙂 It was a fun project.
Debbie,
This is a beautiful song to wipe the mind from clutter and chaos. The melody simply soothes. I can listen to this kind of music for hours! Your story is intriguing and sad. Have a wonderful day, my dear!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Cathy! 🙂 Thanks for coming by and happy rest of the summer.