Which Mozart Sonatas?

[ned]

What Mozart sonatas do you like best? I am currently attracted to some of the early ones.  I am working on K 283 and might try K 309. I have worked on the Fantasy and Sonata in C minor and will take it up again at some point.  

I confess that I have tended to overlook the Mozart Sonatas. No more! They are so colorful and enchanting. Real depth too! I am not terribly keen on K 331 332 333 570 576, which I know are often played.

In my opiniion, the greatest is K 310.

What is the comparative technical difficulty among the sonatas from a performance perspective?
Ned

[mahavishnu]

Hey a fellow fan of MOZART! Yeah!  I just got into Mozart only a couple of weeks ago.  I am becoming convinced that Mozart is my favorite sonata composer for the classical period.  What a statement eh?  

I agree on the K 310 too.  I love the K282 alot as well.  

Pat

[goodasgould]

don't forget k. 280! It is my personal favorite - the first mvmt. is so innovative, varying rythm, articulation and dynamics in many baroque-style sequences. The 2nd. mvmt. is simply from heaven, its one of the best you'll find....and the 3rd mvmt. is a typical early-Mozartian  romp that's always fun....ok, I'm done - but check it out if you haven't already!

[benedict]

I particularly love nr 12 (KV 332)  F major, especially the Adagio.

I hope I can play it this year just for the poetry of it.

[sary2106]

Wonderful!!! Finally I have found other people who like the K. 310!!! (my best friend doesn't really like it) I love that Mozart sonata - it is so extremely different from so many of his other sonatas. The 1st movement seems like rather passionate - almost dissonant - Mozart... the middle movement is very tragic.... the last movement - breathless. (I am recording it probably next month sometime, for a competition audition!)

Does anyone have any tips on K. 310?

Sarah

[ned]

Sarah,
On K310, I recommend the detailed discussion of it in the book by Bela Siki, "Piano Repertoire" (Schirmer Books 1981). If you want it and can't get it, I'll send you a xerox of that chapter. Email me at emaguire@deloitte.com.

Stick with that piece. It is monumental. Also look at K311, a fine concert selection!

I really like the other comments on the Mozart sonatas. K280 and K332 are favorites.  I also vote for the Rondo K511 and the Fantasy and Fugue in C major.
Ned

[RhiAnne]

 I cannot remember which sonata it is, but it is in F-major and has a chord that begins with.  I am tempted to say it is 310.  I played it for audition this past spring.

 As to my favorite Mozart sonata of all times would be his sonata in A mar, with the variations and also the wonderful third movement.

[88keys]

The A minor Sonata, K. 310 is definitely one of Mozart's best.

By the way, did anybody notice that Beethoven "borrowed" the theme from this sonata in his "Moonlight Sonata"?

Take a look at Beethoven's "Moonlight", Op. 27/2, 3rd movement. The 2nd subject is virtually identical to the Mozart theme!