The Sonata in C major K 545 is sometimes referred to as "Sonata facile" or "Sonata semplice" – which both mean the Easy Sonata. Indeed, Mozart referred to it in his work catalogue (June 26, 1788) "as a little Piano Sonata for beginners". The manuscript of this charming and delicate work is sadly lost, and it was not published during the composer's lifetime; the first edition appeared in 1805. Supposedly, Mozart intended the piece to be used for teaching, but we don't know anything else about the circumstances of its composition. The three movements are all very short, but despite its modest scale and the fact that it wasn't made public during Mozart's life, this is nevertheless a flawless and remarkable work of a mature master, who in the same summer wrote his last three symphonies.
A very important element of the first movement are the scales and broken chords, moving constantly up and down the keyboard. Strive to shape these "wave patterns" musically. The suble shading of dynamics and timing that is needed to phrase this kind of music beautifully needs a loose and flexible wrist and arm. Unless this is achieved, the fingers will only be capable of a mechanical, note-by-note rendition. The second movement provides an excellent opportunity to practice your Alberti bass patterns. Just make sure that they don't take over; see to it that the right hand dominates without having to use force. In this case, it is advisable to use finger pedal in the left hand – that is, holding on to notes (bass notes in particular) rather than releasing them when the next one is struck.
(Although Mozart listed this work as "for beginners", this is not exactly what you should expect a first year piano student to take on. Not even the slow second movement is particularly easy, unless you have some previous experience of the piano writing of the classical era. A good and clear articulation of scales, broken chords and double notes is needed, as well as good execution of left hand Alberti bass patterns. But don't let this... Sign up for a Gold membership to read the practice tips.
I haven't played any Mozart, and I'm looking for a piece to start with. After reading around the forum, I got the impression that Mozart's sonata in C major, K545, is considered an "easy" piece. (grade 5, or whatever)
Judging from the score and a recording (Gould's), this doesn't look or sound easy at all! The tempo of the first movement has to be around 120 bpm, with nonstop 16th-notes and long trills. And everything has to be super-even. In fact, to me this looks harder than Beethoven's op2.1. Is it just my technique that is weird, or am I missing something else? Exactly what is making this sonata easy?
In the first run of 16th notes in the first movement of K.545, , there's a footnote in . W.A. MOZART—An Introduction to His Keyboard Works that reads:
To play sixteenth notes legato, as marked by many editors, is contradictory to the Italian style for Allegro movements. To cite only one of many sources, Giuseppe Tartini wrote of sixteenth-note passages in Allegro tempos: "Play the notes detached and separate, with a little space between each two—as if there were a rest after every note." (My bolding.)
So, should I play my scales as the footnote says I should play Mozart in order to prepare? I think I could still handle the legato of the other stuff I'm working on—a Chopin Prelude and a Beethoven Sonatina.
Any tips on playing Italian style will be welcomed.
For what it's worth, this book I referred to seems to be a wonderful introduction to Mozart. This 2006 edition even includes an audio CD with which you can hear all the pieces in the book, all of them easy (if you call his Somata in C Major easy).
The editor, Willard A. Palmer is a stickler for publishing (and playing) Mozart the way Wolfie would want his works done. I love that kind of respect.
It is listed in the ABRSM standart that this piece is grade 5. I don't think this is so, if it is compared to other grade 5 pieces (those Kuhlau sonatines, Tchaikovsky's Chanson de l'aloutee.....etc.) i think it is obvious that it is harder.
Maybe the second movement can be considered grade 5 but i don't think that the first is grade 5 at all.
mozart k545 April 13, 2005, 01:07:02 PM by ahjean2020
aiyo!!! how to discribe that piece of work ar??? the song is nice but how to write the summary??
good evening volks! i am new here and come from germany (so sorry for my bad english;)). first hallo alltogether!very nice forum and interesting postings here (i have seen, that here are a lot of ´profis´) ... i unfortunately play piano only for a short time and have a big problem: i tried everything, but don´t know, whats right: how to play the notes in time 15 in Mozarts ´Sonate facile´. this trill (in german: pralltriller= tr) and the other ´special effect´ before the trill, how to play them? how look the notes in this time for this ´features´, if they are written out in normal form/shape? how is there relationship with the notes, which are played with the left hand? can anyone describe and explain, maybe demonstrate this?perhaps by writing out the played notes ( maybe in a sort of picture)?
thank, thx thx for all, you are my rescuer you and sorry for my bad english (on german websites nobody could help )
good evening volks! i am new here and come from germany (so sorry for my bad english;)). first hallo alltogether!very nice forum and interesting postings here (i have seen, that here are a lot of ´profis´) ... i unfortunately play piano only for a short time and have a big problem: i tried everything, but don´t know, whats right: how to play the notes in time 15 in Mozarts ´Sonate facile´. this trill (in german: pralltriller= tr) and the other ´special effect´ before the trill, how to play them? how look the notes in this time for this ´features´, if they are written out in normal form/shape? how is there relationship with the notes, which are played with the left hand? can anyone describe and explain, maybe demonstrate this?perhaps by writing out the played notes ( maybe in a sort of picture)?
thank, thx thx for all, you are my rescuer you and sorry for my bad english (on german websites nobody could help )
Hi Everyone, I m new here, i would like to ask u guys do u guys had the piano piece of in an eighteen century flower garden that u guys can send me or pls tell me where can i download it thxs. Michelle
I am new to the piano and I was looking on the internet for sheet music. I came across Mozart's Sonata in C. This is one of my favorite pieces of all time.
I looked at the skill level and it said beginner/easy. Is this really a piece a complete beginner should try to learn. I would say it is at least intermediate. I have seen much easier pieces on the internet that carry the same skill level rating and also pieces that are much easier that Sonata in C that are at least intermediate.
What would you guys rate Mozart's Sonata in C as? Would you rate it as beginner, intermediate, or hard?
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Wolfgang Amadéus Mozart - Sonatas :
Piano score: PS Urtext (653 kB) 
Sonata K. 545 1st mvt - FREE SAMPLE (mp3 file) 
you and sorry for my bad english (on german websites nobody could help 
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