Friedrich Kuhlau
Sonatina
in C Major, Op. 20 No. 1

Kuhlau's elegant and charming Sonatinas are reminiscent of Mozart and often serve as stepping stones towards more advanced Classical works.

ID: 468
Friedrich Kuhlau - Sonatinas:

Sonatina
Op. 20 No. 1

Key: C Major
Year: 1819
Level: 5
Period: Classical
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An introduction to the Classical Style

Friedrich Kuhlau’s Sonatina in C major Op. 20 no. 1 shows many stylistic parallels to Mozart’s sonatas, its opening measure deceptively similar to the opening of the Sonata in C major K. 545. The first movement makes use of dramatic contrasts between major and minor and between lyricism and elegant passagework. The lyrical second movement is short and peaceful, and the final movement is a good-natured rondo, featuring a middle section in minor which provides contrast before the return of the opening material.

Background

The three Sonatinas Op. 20 were published in 1820 and were probably composed for amateur musicians or as teaching aids. They are often studied by intermediate pianists, serving alongside the sonatinas of Clementi’s Op. 36 as a stepping stone towards more advanced works in the Classical style.


Forum posts about this piece:

Runs in Clementi's Sonatina Op. 36 no. 3 (can't play in legato!!!) by samuel.saarikivi
Hi! I'm playing Clementi's Sonatina op. 36 no. 3 rn, and I can play all the other things of that piece very easily but just can&#...

Kuhlau Frustration by joyeux
I've been working on Kuhlau Sonatina Op. 20 No. 1 and progressing very well, but I'm being tripped up by the most seemingly benign...


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Classical piano sheet music by Friedrich Kuhlau to download and print instantly: Sonatina Op. 20 No. 1 in the key of . Level 5, compositional type: Sonata (published in 1819)
Sonatina in C Major, Op. 20 No. 1 by the composer Friedrich Kuhlau who lived from 1786 to 1832.
The piece was published in 1819 and is included in Kuhlau's Sonatinas.