Mozart A minor sonata

[fnork]

My piano teacher wanted me to learn this sonata (the first mozart sonata I've learned, except for sonata facile which I played a very long time ago and have forgotten) because he said that it shows a different side of Mozarts music. I don't feel much for Mozarts music, but I do like this sonata, so I've started practicing it. Has anyone here played it? If so, feel free to give tips and suggestions on playing it. It seems to be quite difficult.

By the way, there's some confusion with the opening theme. Should the first notes be played with the D# on the beat like a sixteenth and then the E for 3/16-notes, or should the D# be played earlier to make the E for the whole 1/4? I prefer the first option, the second sounds a bit too "naive" (can't come up with a better word), while the first option makes the theme sound more like it should - like a serious statement. What do you think?

[astroboy]

I am also learning this sonata, and am interested in the replies, and how the opening bar is to be played. I can't ask my teacher because she is on holidays.

[Teddybear]

I've played it, and it's very difficult. It demands insane amounts of finger independence.

By the way, there's some confusion with the opening theme. Should the first notes be played with the D# on the beat like a sixteenth and then the E for 3/16-notes, or should the D# be played earlier to make the E for the whole 1/4? I prefer the first option, the second sounds a bit too "naive" (can't come up with a better word), while the first option makes the theme sound more like it should - like a serious statement. What do you think?

I played the D# before everything else. To me it was the obvious and natural way (besides it was written that way in my edition), but maybe you should try to find some recordings, because I haven't heard any.

T

[Kassaa]

Don't do K310 as your first sonata. It is one of the most difficult ones, play some other sonatas first so that you get the Mozartfeel.

[fnork]

Don't do K310 as your first sonata. It is one of the most difficult ones, play some other sonatas first so that you get the Mozartfeel.

Well, I did play sonata facile a very long time ago, and a few other mozart pieces (rondo d major, fantasie d minor, variations..) although I've forgotten all of them. But I know what it's like to play Mozart... Anyway, what would you suggest as a starter sonata? I don't want to learn sonata facile again, so please mention a few others.

[bernhard]

Here are the Mozart sonatas in progressive order of difficulty (take your pick):

Grade 5:

K 545 in C major

Grade 6:

K 280 in F major
K 282 in Eb major
K 570 in Bb major

Grade 7:

K 279 in C major
K 283 in G major
K311 in D major
K331 in A major

Grade 8:

K281 in Bb major
K284 in D major
K309 in C major
K330 in C major
K333 in Bb major
K475 (Fantasia) in C minor
K457 in C minor

Grade 8+:

K 310 in A minor
K332 in F major
K533/K494 in F major
K576 in D major

To answer your original question:

“The initial appoggiatura should be quick, certainly no longer than a 16th note. To play it before the first beat is an appropriate rendering, as this crucial ornament, far form being decorative forms a violent upbeat to the opening. Neumann descirbes a different rendition: ‘an acciacatura, the simultaneous striking of both notes and quick release of the Vorschlag’. This seems a peculiarly baroque effect on a modern instrument but could be effective on some old instruments. Neumann also present some convincing arguments for the appoggiatura being played on the beat, but ultimately both he and the Badura Skodas prefer  this ornament played quickly and strongly before the beat”

(Michael Davidson – “Mozart and the Pianist” – Kahn & Averill).

This wonderful book is required reading for anyone tackling Mozart’s keyboard works. As are the two references he quotes:

Neumann, F. “Ornamentation and improvisation in Mozart” (Princeton)

Badura Skoda, P. & E. “Interpreting Mozart on the keyboard” (Da Capo Press Music)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[theprincess]

Hey, I am playing that sonata right now also. I love it, and I agree that it shows a different side of Mozart that is not usually seen in the sonatas. Have you looked at the third movement yet? It is very cool. I also agree with playing the D# before everything else.

[pet]

I have just finished learning this sonata like two months ago, and have performed it many times.  I agree that you should play the D# before anything else.  I also recommend when you learn the notes for the first movement, try not to play it too fast too soon.  The first movement was the movement that I played the best, because I can play very fast and clean, besides I have play A LOT of mozart, so I have the technique for it.  I recommend taking it very slow, because you can easily mess up the right hand in the first movement.  To me..the second movement was the hardest because for me personally I don't do well with slow pieces...and also, it's very detailed, and the slightest mistake can make it sound messed up.  The third movement sounds the best without any pedaling really...it just jumps around a lot, so trying to use the pedaling is like useless anyway.  MAKE SURE you use the fingering in the music...sometimes people (including myself) tend to use any fingering when they're playing it slow, because you can't really make that many mistakes....you WILL pay for it later.  Everything is basically scalar, so make sure you use the right fingering, so when you're ready to play it fast...you don't run out of them...lol.  Also, try to learn the phrasing with the notes...in some cases you can get by with just learning the notes, and figuring out the phrasing later...but it will kill you to do that in the first movement.

VERY IMPORTANT: Watch your pedaling...ESPECIALLY in the first and second movements.  If you play this sonata without any pedaling at all, it will sound too dry, so I would recommend taking it aside and really figuring out how the pedaling works.  Not only is this sonata hard to play (only thinking about the hands), but you have to think very carefully about the pedaling also, so it comes out as cleanly as possible.  Learn it without the pedaling first (the 1st movement), and that way you won't get dependent on it.

For excersizes:  I would recommend playing scales, at a moderate speed.... CLEAN.  Even thought they are many negative views on this board about hanon...I think it was hanon that made me so good at playing mozart.  I learned how to raise my fingers and play scalar lines quickly and cleanly.

Hope this helps!

[burstroman]

Play it or not, but listen to the performance by Alicia de Larrocha