Please suggest a Mozart/Beethoven Sonata

[wilmerguido]

I'm not really a fan of Mozart or Beethoven, but then I need one for a competition... Please suggest something aside the overplayed ones like Moonlight/Pathetique... I'm still contemplating whether to learn Waldstein or not

[wilmerguido]

My teacher suggested me Op.22 in Bflat, we're talking about beethoven sonatas. But then the 11 minute adagio 2nd movement scares me...

[jian10]

My teacher suggested me Op.22 in Bflat, we're talking about beethoven sonatas. But then the 11 minute adagio 2nd movement scares me...

That sonata is nice.  1st mvt is more like Beethoven meets Czerny exercise but the last 2 mvts are very charming.
 
How about Mozart Sonata in D maj. K. 576?

[emilye]

sonate in C mayor op. 2 by Beethoven
           A mayor op. 2
sonate in d-minor op. 31


Mozart: sonate c-minor KV 457

[john11inc]

If you don't have experience with the composers and don't intend for this piece to be the highlight of your recital (that is to say, might have reason to believe that your lack of interest in the composers might cause the performance to be a bit below or different than the standard, as far as what a jury is looking for in regard to interpretation) I would say an early sonata by Mozart is the safest route to go.  I strongly suggest the K. 280.

[wilmerguido]

Thanks for all your comments, I've decided on K576.

If you don't have experience with the composers and don't intend for this piece to be the highlight of your recital (that is to say, might have reason to believe that your lack of interest in the composers might cause the performance to be a bit below or different than the standard, as far as what a jury is looking for in regard to interpretation) I would say an early sonata by Mozart is the safest route to go.  I strongly suggest the K. 280.

Although I'm not really a fan of the composer, it is not to say that I don't have any experience regarding his pieces. Although my experience is very minimal, I know how it should be played and how should it be interpreted. But then, I still agree with you. I know i still need more experience, but then the competition is near, and I still have a whole lot of pieces to prepare for... I just hope, with the guidance of my teacher, I'll be able to pull it off.

[john11inc]

In that case, K. 576 is the (second to K. 533) worst choice you could possibly make.  It is considered the most difficult and advanced of Mozart's sonatas (although I personally find K. 533 more daunting in all regards).  It is a particularly poor idea if you have very minimal time to prepare it.  I find it dubious that your teacher would make such a recommendation.

This wouldn't happen to be for the Cleveland competition, would it?  If it is, or a competition with similar programming requirements, i.e. short rounds with very specific repertoire, I would suggest against it even more strongly.  For someone who does not have a lot of experience or interest in Mozart, I would not suggest the comparatively long K. 576, which will occupy a decent portion of one of your rounds.  I only ask if it is Cleveland because they require Mozart or Beethoven and oddly do not permit Schubert, similar to your post.

[kelly_kelly]

Why not Beethoven op. 78 or 90? They are short, which is probably good if you're not a Beethoven fan and don't have much time, and not overplayed. It's also later Beethoven, which you may prefer to early/middle Beethoven or Mozart. If you're not a fan of Mozart, it seems a bit silly to select one of his most difficult sonatas for a competition, since it's likely that you would have to spend a fair amount of time with it.

[lisztomaniac]

appassionata is not bad

[monsieurdelully]

One of the most played sonatas, not that hard to play, though.