Wilhelm Kempff plays Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata mvt. 1

Of course. Beethoven was a brilliant pianist, but his true value was as a composer, not a technical concert pianist. His legacy is is huge catalogue of brilliant songs.

#1  Wilhelm is interpreting this piece.

#2 He knows the notes backwards and forwards, and if he alters something, that's what he intended to do, and that's what interpretation is all about.

#3 He's not being arrogant with his facial gestures. He's vicariously conveying the thoughts and emotions of the original composer by visualizing every note as an artful revelation contributing to this brilliant composition.

@tilelayher
sry but I am also playing this piece and there was nothing wrong he plays right :S

It's quite amazing the away you put "everyone who plays this piece". Quite true either. Quite hard to listen/read mostly.
Beethoven has something, his partitures, written down, are beautiful itself. His music is like a story, if you miss the middle part, you won't be able to understand the end chords.
Kempff probably even knows the drafts of the story.

such passion, absolutely amazing

No one can play a piece better than the original composer, because the composer is the only one who knows what it's supposed to sound like. Everyone who plays this piece is just interpreting it.

As far as technical skills go, there are/were many who are better than Beethoven.

at 2:56 he misplays the notes and plays the wrong part twice. Still a good performance. If anyones familiar with this piece they will agree.

He plays perfectly beautiful. And his face while he's playing... Amazing.

LOL THIS GUY LOOKS AROUND LIKE... " YEAH IM THE SHIT... NONE OF YOU FOOLS AND TOUCH THIS!!" Awesome job!!

@mattharr567

He was.