Easy but great Mozart

[notturno]

I've just been listening to Mozart's Piano Sonata is C major, K330, and am speechless at its beauty (Horowitz' recording).  I'd like to learn some Mozart, but am looking for something that is simpler, say Grade 5ish.  Some of the simpler pieces that I've heard are rather dull (perhaps written when he was really young), but I'm sure that he has something that is easy and beautiful. I'm not sure that I'm ready to tackle a Sonata, but would be willing to give one of them a try as well.   I've seen posts on "easy" Mozart and "great" Mozart, but not combined.

I mean, of course, technically easier.  It appears all of his music is musically challenging.

Thanks.

Joseph

[ganymed]

maybe try sonata facile K 545 its pretty long but managable

[kelly_kelly]

Rondo in D Major K. 285 (not sure of the number)
Rondo in A Minor K. 511
Fantasy in D Minor K. 397

I think these are simpler; if I'm wrong please correct me! 

EDIT: Sorry guys, the A Minor Rondo's on the LRSM list... 

[desordre]

 Dear Notturno:
 The forementioned Sonata K 545 is a great choice, although you might look at the third movement because it's tricky. Also the Sonata K 282 is not that difficult.
 Anyway, I have to disagree with Kelly: the Fantasia K 397 is a bit harder than 5th. In general, it's not a difficult piece, but its cadenzas requires really fast and controlled scales. Furthermore, its interpretation lies upon several contrasting moods, and hence is not easy to render.
 If you are not concerned with playing a complete work, there are sonata movements that you could think about: 331/3 or 280/2, just to quote a few examples.
 By the way, Mozart composed some variation sets. Despite the fact that some have virtuosistic features, you shall find one that meet your possibilities. Again, if you're not talking about recitals or something in this way, you can cut off a variation that you feel unconfortable to play.
 Hope it helps. Best wishes!

[notturno]

Thank you for the great suggestions.  I listened to these pieces and all of them are beautiful works; I especially like the Fantasia K397.  I hadn't thought about the Variations; that would be a good intro for me.

Joseph

[glk]

Hi:

The Fantasy in D minor is a great choice.  It is not technically too difficult, and invites
expressive playing.  There are a variety of great and not so great recordings, which display a wide
range of interpretations. (My favorite is a performance by Arrau).   I've also heard recordings
by Brendel, Uchida, De Larrocha among others. 

Best,

Gary K

[dnephi]

About the Fantasy in D Minor, Liszt belittled it, telling the performer that he didn't suffer any sleepless nights to play this and therefore was unsuitable for the master.

However, that was a professional, and I hope you enjoy it!  Great piece.

[kempff1234]

I think Kelly mentioned The A minor rondo. I personally don't find that easy, although itis not that fast.

Why don't you try the C minor fantasy K.396. This is different than the other C minor fantasy. It is rarely played, I've only heard Brendel and Fischer (Edwin) do it. It is a transcription of an unfinished sonata for violin and piano and it's sublime. Has this beautiful stormy middle section and the outer sections are just beautiful. PM me if you need the score.

[txmuslguy]

I.M.Op, I don't think Mozart is "difficult", but as my teacher said it last week, the "articulation" of the notes have to be spot on.  Quite often I find that with a Mozart piece, one misplayed note and it stands out like "a beacon in the night".  So it's preciseness that counts. No "pedal" to blend the sounds in to cover up the mistake.