This is not the full 1st movement, far from it, but the reason is that this was Kobe’s version that he learnt to play to his wife. So don’t blame her for not playing the original

She's got the right surname for a pianist!

As Beethoven once said " To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable" Alicia had the passion here.

imagine writing a song and 300 years later its still being performed. People talk about hits but no artist or composer is touching my guy Beethoven lmao

everyone keeps bashing alicia keys for “not playing it correctly” she’s playing it how kobe used to play it and they didn’t get a “professional pianist” cuz alicia knew kobe

Incredible to see pop musicians still performing classical music.

How she’s playing this as a mother, as a wife…..It’s truly heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time. This piece is absolutely timeless.

As a classical musician, I appreciate her performance so so much! It has the depth and the emotions and the interpretation that hits all the right spots. She is spectacular, and classical pieces are not meant to be played only for a close circle of people. It's for everyone.

i also think its insane how this piece was created almost 300 years ago and its still famous and its so heart breaking to how she cried to this almost unreal

I can't believe Kobe actually learned to play this by ear. Then again remembering the Mamba's crazy work ethic and intelligence I'm not surprised too.😄

As a pianist, I can clearly see that she put her entire soul into this performance. The way her body moves instinctively with the music, her facial expressions, the way she closes her eyes and just feels the music. You could hear and feel the emotion in this piece. Gorgeous and wonderful job to Alicia Keys and beautiful tribute to Kobe.

Geez… this has to be her hardest performance, you can see the emotional strain on her. Excellent performance

How incredible that Alicia performed a piano piece that was specifically fitting to the wishes of Vanessa and Kobe instead of coming to the funeral service performing one of her own songs. This is a sure sign of true respect for the family, to just perform a straight piano performance of Beethoven. Very sentimental she deserves every credit for this

As a classical musician, I think that Alicia played beautifully. Yes, this isn’t the full 1st movement, but what matters is that she played in honour of Kobe. So please stop going at her because she didn’t play the full 1st movement.

Wow she played it so beautifully, even live with all of that pressure to perform. What a tribute. Respect!

She is such a beautiful woman, physically and emotionally and musically. I would love to see her perform live.

Poor Vanessa, when she looked down I lost it 😭

Professional classical pianist here. I don't see any problem with Ms. Keys' performance and here are the reasons: 1. This is a memorial for the late Kobe Bryant, and I understand that this was a meaningful version for him and the family, so I think this is a beautiful tribute (If he really learned this by ear, he could have had a career in music if he chose to have the proper training, by the way). 2. Classical composers were rather flexible with their own pieces or other composers' works. For example, it is believed that Chopin only played the slower part of his Ballade Op. 38 when he toured England shortly before his death due to health reasons, and this is only one example of many. 3. Ms. Keys may not have the keyboard proficiency of a professional pianist but I could hear her musical ideas and could tell she had something to say. For this occasion, I think it worked perfectly. I may not be too familiar with her genre of music but I have a huge respect for her achievements. In a nutshell, don't be dumb. She did well.

She put her heart and soul in that joint! Beautifully done!

Kobe was my one of my heroes. And this song is my all time favorites. I was told I could never play it as never play piano so I went home taught myself and came back and played my own version of the song. Just like Kobe did for his wife, I did for my long lost love that wasn’t in my life yet…The song cuts deep for me.

I’m here in heaven teaching Kobe the rest of the sonata 🎵

this is refreshing to see. I don't really think the conductor is necessary. It is a quintet. Quintets rarely have one. Unless it is a bigger ensemble. Alicia is capable of leading with piano.

This was exquisite! I can always hear her classical training in everything she plays! What special night this must have been for the Bryant family!! 🦋

I love a well-rounded artist, she writes, composes, sings and also plays classical music, wow!!!!

You can tell she's hurting through the music. Beautifully played

Alicia Keyes has been and always will be class. A loving and brilliant musical tribute to Kobe Bryant.

An absolutely stunning performance. I don’t think I have ever seen her look so beautiful. The pressure had to be tremendous. Well done. RIP Kobe Bryant…💔💔❤️❤️

Alicia Keys is so beautiful! Inside and out. She also did a beautiful job here. Can’t imagine the pressure of everyone watching and listening intently …just waiting for her to mess up.

A classical trained artist. She deserves far more credit then people give her

I chose not to perform for my late brother's service - I wouldn't have gotten through it... I did choose to perform at my mom's service, and I barely got through it - it was all a fog... Alicia is a consummate pro - what a great performance.

Beethoven, one of the composers who translated emotions into music. Such a brilliant guy

Alicia Keys has got it all…beauty, musical talent & personality. She is indeed an icon to the music world.

Can’t believe that there are actually people who go out of their way to dislike a video. Especially for a memorial service.

I'm a professional pianist. And I just want to say: Beautiful Performance! How dare can people send negavitity here while this performance is a dedication and an homage to Kobe Bryant?! Just because something is correct, does NOT mean it is beautiful. In this situation, it is not the "correctness" we have to focus on. Instead, we focus on compassion, empathy, love and the pain that his family is going through. So please, for the sake of kindness and compassion, pray for his family and remember his legacy.

Exceptional!!! What can't this beautiful lady do? She acts, raps, dances and sings (wonderfully I must add), and now she's a classical pianist. Bravo! Wow.

What a unique and classical artist Alicia is. Ms. Keys is a national treasure in my book. There is no one out there like her. Thank you so much Alicia for sharing he beauty, warmth and love of you profound inner talents with us. They are always splendid.

Ugh... the moment Vanessa dropped her head at the 1:53 mark just shattered my heart for her. You can just see the sadness, loneliness, and pain in her expression. What a devastating loss most of us will never comprehend.

this comment section is so negative. this was a memorial. have some respect.

Wow. What a performance. It leaves a deep emotional imprint. You can see she (all of them for that matter) speaks the music language fluently. The language of emotions. This is its purpose being fullfilled right there. Also, the strings add so much to the song’s urgency. It’s a really sensitive arrangement. I don’t know if this is what Beethoven wanted to say with the piece, but this might be the best sounding version of it I’ve ever heard.

One of the first pieces I learnt to play on the piano. I had the pleasure of learning on a grand piano at my highschool. Still my favourite piece of piano music. Beethoven and Alicia keys are musical geniuses.

“Life is like a piano. The white keys represent happiness and the black shows sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also make music.” edit: to people who put race into this: I'm black and know that you all have issues it's just a key on a fricking piano. to people who argue if black keys are sadness: I play the piano too and it's just a quote take a chill pill

I could feel the emotion she put into this and it literally brought me to tears I was never a fan of kobe not that I hated the man it just wasn't my thing but may he rest in peace along with his daughter

Moonlight is such a gloriously beautiful & haunting melody … she played it beautifully

this is what real performers and talents looks like. probably 20 years ago we heard her sing well, and sit at the piano, but nobody knew that she can play piano very well actually.

Reading the comments and everyone is talking about negativity but I only see positivity

Imagine she busts out playing the 3rd movement.

With all respect, when we are all dust and forgotten, even the guy who was so amazing at playing basketball will be long forgotten, they will still play and listen to this piece of music. THAT is immortality.

Even though it's not the full piece of the 1st movement. It's still very pretty and hauntingly beautiful. I played this version when my grandmother passed away the day after Christmas. It was her favorite sonata but I liked this one better.

It’s a bit strange to have a conductor there, it’s only a string quartet

Moonlight Sonata can not, should not, and must not ever disappear.

Such a beautiful piece, brought tears to my eyes

Fun fact: Kobe Bryant lived 1 year for every one of Mozart's symphonies. (Mozart wrote 41 symphonies, Kobe Bryant lived for 41 years.)

POV: ur looking for the mean comments everyone’s talking about

Good to see a lot of people still appreciate classical music, it’s classical and immortal forever

This piece never gets me. I she listened to it a million times But the way Alicia plays it gave me the most insane goose bumps.

She is a fine pianist- what a talent! She communicated the emotion beautifully. The build up is intense and palpable. Good for her.

“The comment section is so hateful, she did a great job!” The comment section: “The comment section is so hateful, she did a great job!”

It’s months later but I’m reading these comments and I’m really confused as to why it matters what movement she played or if she’s trained or not? It’s a funeral for Christ sakes and they wanted somebody they knew what instead of a stranger to play a piece Kobe knew. This is not the place to bicker about her playing if y’all wanna do that go listen to and actual performance of the sonata and let this woman honor her friend the way she wants.

This is one of the most beautiful compositions of all time. So moving. I so respect Alicia Keys. She’s not like the rest - she’s such a profound musical talent and did justice to this piece. I got weepy.

Braught me to tears.. this play brings great memories of high school music appreciation and my great friends that inspired me to learn this once..Thanks Alicia for your great talent rising from hard knocks to talent in great class..you are truly an inspiration to me..when you see talent that has your face and background you can truly tell your kids they can also do this because Alicia did..God Bless..

THIS is what playing with emotion looks and sounds like! And not just Alicia, but all of the musicians and the conductor. You all moved me to tears. And what beautiful music. And what beautiful people, Kobe and Vanessa. I'm so sorry for her loss. Kobe and those who passed away will never be forgotten. Love to all of them, forever.

Kobe learned how to play this for the love of his life. He played it for her over the phone for their anniversary. He made time for the person who he loved the most. Remember that nothing is ever more important than reminding the people you love and care about that you love them.

So beautiful.

Alicia is a great pianist with such musicality and delivery of nice classic phrases👍

What a beautiful arrangement when I saw Vanessa crying I started sobbing

who’s here one year later. you will be missed Kobe, Gigi, Payton, Sarah, Alyssa, Keri, John, Christina, and Ara. 💜💛🖤

Wow! So much emotion in those notes. Absolutely beautiful. Beethoven would be proud ❤

I've always had such great admiration for Alicia Keys' musical talent and singing voice. What a beautiful tribute to Kobe and Vanessa. ✝ This is one of the most beautiful of Beethoven's pieces, "Moonlight Sonata. Alicia playing piano, played it "Stunningly and Exquisitely.

seeing a musician emotional while they're playing is everything

This was so heartfelt at Kobe's funeral. Just absolutely beautiful played by Alicia. She was so into this moment. I could feel the song at this moment in a different way that I ever have. RIP all that died in the helicopter crash. Thanks Alicia for this beautiful job on this song.

I have played this piece in full trying to achieve the perfect balance of emotion, control and subtlety for 20 years. It’s not that’s it’s technically very difficult, but it is exceptionally very difficult in terms of phrasing IMHO. The most difficult part is omitted here unfortunately. That’s ok with me. She is playing this for a specific event, for a specific reason and in a very specific way. Is she showing great proficiency? No. Should we care? No. This is not a concert. It’s a memorial and she translates the heartbreaking melody perfectly here. I don’t know why people think she needed to play the whole movement as though it were a concert. My only quibble is the violins. So unnecessary and so distracting from the crying of the piano. Brava Alicia. Very powerful interpretation. Very solid phrasing and I rather like the how she made it so very personal

Everything after 3:05 on is my absolutely fave part- so haunting and comforting at the same time.

I don't know how many people on here actually *know* Beethoven, but I can say Im sure Kobe could relate to Beethoven. Before I even heard that Kobe liked this song, I always felt Kobe had the heart and passion of some of the greats like Beethoven. Both men spent their lives looking up to their idols. To Kobe, that was Jordan. To Beethoven, it was Mozart. Its scary how much Kobe copied Jordan and how much Beethoven himself studied and copied Mozart. Both had to learn from the master, and both had extreme heart, dedication, and passion. Both of them strive endlessly to surpass their idol, and both of them had huge shoes to fill. I'm pretty sure, Kobe saw himself in the great Beethoven. Their lives were very similar in the fact they both wanted to get out of the shadows of their idol and have their own legacy. RIP Kobe

Devastating. His poor sweet wife. No words. Basketball was my first love and Beethoven was my second. I still turn to both for comfort. What a poignant performance. Prayers to all the devastated survivors. Too painful.

I remember part of your song being part of her first album. I kept waiting to hear you say "drop it"and her vocals come in. Beautiful piece.

This song Just speaks to your soul it makes you cry just by listening to it being played, so I couldn't even imagine all of the emotions that we're going through Vanessa listen to Alicia play. This family is still in my prayers. Personally, as a verry amateur pianist, I am going to learn that song before I die if I don't do anything else.

1:54 can't even imagine what she was feeling. Terrible.

When people are talking about real musicians criticizing her playing this song but you can’t find any of those comments

Bravo well done. I am so moved by this sonata.

This is so moving, and the context of it, in light of this terrible tragedy. Too much. I cried.

Everybody gangsta till moonlight sonata comes on. What a powerful piece of history that will never diminish. Perfect choice to me.

I've heard many people playing this classical piece, but you cannot help but be moved by this performance. That is art.

Maybe the most emotional musical performance I have ever watched . You could tell she was thinking about Kobe and G right next the wife and mother who just beginning to mourn their deaths . Sad , riveting , All NBA fans should watch this performance. Just to witness how many people these players touch .

Her rendition of 1st movement was brilliant . Shortened it by more that 2 minutes . I could feel the pain before during and after . A great tribute to G and Kobe . House that Kobe built , is building of love

The conductor was too much.. The music is calm/peaceful (solemn), but he was like conducting a StarWars theme or a Hallelujah Chorus.

when you're scrolling through the comment section looking for the piano elitists criticizing the performance, but all you see are comments about looking for the piano elitists criticizing the performance.

This piece of music makes me feel different emotions at the same time. How could a def man come up with something this beautiful I'll never know. Thanks for this

i have not heard this sonata played so beautifully with such a different interpretation ever before. every phrase is Alicia’s own. Beethoven just flows through her with wings. beautifully played by a beautiful person. thank you, sweetie. in the theatre, we say, “Break a leg”, for forever luck. have a great day! :) 🌹🌱 2:02 the violin playing with her is exquisite! 🎹🎻🌹 also, the conductor is brilliant. he feels the music in his whole being. i could watch him all night. what an absolutely wondrous concert. 🪄

i thought she was gonna play the whole PIECE and i was kinda hyped to see her play the 3rd mvmnt but really good performance

My heart came out at this point of the ceremony

I love this song it always makes me cry, so much passion ❤️

Beautifully played, it brought tears.

I truly hope all the family members who lost their loved ones finds peace. This is so heartbreaking.

I tweeted her and thanked her from my soul for this. I sat in my truck and wept in a parking lot. I wept for them, I wept for Alicia, and I wept for human genius.

One of my favorites along with Claire de lune. Well done Alicia, that was perfect. RIH Kobe and their beautiful daughter.🙏🏾

Wow, so not only did Alica do outstanding preforming this timeless masterpiece but lets put this moment into context: Alicia Keys played this on her opening song "Piano & I" for her first album Song in A Minor (absolute classic in itself) back in 2001. Fast forward all the way to 2020 she is prefoming the whole Moonlight Sonata for Kobe and GiGi's memorial after a sudden tragedy when she used to play it for him during thier leisure. I commend her for not breaking down while playing such a masterful and somber piece.

Crazy how Kobe learned this song for vanessa, such a talented guy

Still can’t believe that this was a year ago

She is a beautiful woman, playing a beautiful piece by Beethoven! So moving!

Beautiful piece of music performed by a very talented performer! What a beautiful tribute!