Moonlight Sonata

Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer of the sonata.

The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata, is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1801 and dedicated in 1802 to his pupil, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, it is one of Beethoven's most popular compositions for the piano.

In Resident Evil games

Resident Evil

In the original Resident Evil (1996), playing the song on the piano in the Spencer Mansion opens a secret room.

In the remake of the first Resident Evil (2002) it is obtained by combining two halves of the composition. The playing of the song has two versions, depending on which character the player chose:

• In Jill's scenario, the player can simply interact with the piano and music, because she is skilled in playing piano.

• In Chris's scenario, he can't play the song because he never learned how to play; Rebecca must instead be given time to practice before she can open the hidden door.

Resident Evil 5 (Gold Edition)

In the Lost in Nightmares extra scenario, you can play the song using Jill Valentine in the second floor of the west area of the European Spencer Estate. When played correctly, you will then obtain an emblem to continue exploring the mansion.

Upon returning to west wing after using the emblem, the second play of the sonata can be heard in the distance.

Further notes

• According to George Trevor's diary, the Moonlight Sonata is the favorite piano song of the Umbrella co-founder, Oswell E. Spencer.
• The song was included on the soundtrack of the first Resident Evil, but wasn't included in the Resident Evil (2002) Best Track Collection or either of the Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition soundtracks in the BIOHAZARD SOUND CHRONICLE II.
• It is the first piece of classical music featured in the series, and was the only piece of classical music ever played until Jake Muller performed Chopin's Revolutionary Etude in Resident Evil 6. All other themes, like the Ashford's Berceuse & Musical Box theme, are original songs.
• The song has an important role in the first games, maybe the most memorable theme of the first Resident Evil (and its remake), however, the song was never featured in any film of the series. It was, however, featured in the Resident Evil (TV series).
• In the Lost in Nightmares events in 2006, if you play as Jill Valentine, she talks about the last time when she played the song, referring to the Mansion Incident in 1998. However, if you play as Chris Redfield, she never says that and Chris just orders his partner to play the song.
• The Moonlight Sonata can be heard in the story mode of Operation Raccoon City; the piano in the Clock Tower is playing it.