The genius of Mozart's piano sonatas

[vandermozart3]

I just read this and thought it was quite relevant to this forum

https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio3/2011/01/dont-dismiss-those-mozart-pian.shtml

[mousekowski]

Jessica Dushen's article is well written, but there's not much evidence to back up her claim that Mozart's piano sonatas are just as good as his operas.

'Which pieces were actually written for publication?' is an interesting distinction in Mozart's output. So for example, the piano quartet in G minor K478 was published (although it didn't sell very well), but most of the piano sonatas weren't.

[keyboardclass]

Is Jessica Dushen somebody?  The article seems rubbish to me.  K533 - 'the bubbling Susanna, grand and angry Count, the rebellious pranks of Figaro, the yearning Countess.'!?

[bachbrahmsschubert]

First I'd like to ask, who's 'dissing' Mozart's piano sonatas to justify writing an article about it? I really don't find any relevance to this. Mozart was an operatic composer, of course his piano sonatas would be no different. Whether one enjoys them or not is subjective and has no effect on his genius.

Nothing to see here...move along.

Best wishes,

[vandermozart3]

I've seen multiple threads on this forum that claim that his piano sonatas are insignificant, and not noteworthy.
I understand that they aren't his major compositions, but some people use this as an excuse to dismiss them as if they are unworthy of being played

Maybe you haven't seen this, in which case you have a point... but the article was a reaction to those who do NOT see the genius in Mozart's sonatas.

[keyboardclass]

It's a shame Beethoven doesn't post here.  I think he'd have something to say to 'some people'!

[thalbergmad]

I played and listened to Mozart sonatas in my youth and thoroughly the experience.

However, 35 years later I do not feel like revisiting them. Clementi, Woelfl, Dussek, Stamitz, Cramer and others have something to offer that can be equally rewarding.

Thal

[keyboardclass]

However, 35 years later I do not feel like revisiting them. Clementi, Woelfl, Dussek, Stamitz, Cramer and others have something to offer that can be equally rewarding.

Yeh right.  I think I have issues with the word equally.

[thalbergmad]

I thought some people might, which is why I used the word "can" as well

Thal

[keyboardclass]

I thought some people might, which is why I used the word "can" as well

Thal

If you really want to get your rocks off try GB Sammartini.  The Daddy of them all and pure joy!

[thalbergmad]

A bit early for my normal taste, but I will give him a bash.

Thal

[pianoplayjl]

Despite the fact that I like Mozart less than Beethoven in person, I still think his sonatas are important to study before in diploma levels, just like Beethoven. I just only studied the 2nd mvt of sonata k282 and that caused a headache.
One of the things I find difficult with Mozart is his rhythms which it takes a while to understand, at least for me. 

[keyboardclass]

Despite the fact that I like Mozart less than Beethoven in person,

!?  Beethoven was an A-hole!  Mozart was as nice a guy as you could meet.

[pianoplayjl]

I mean I like Beethoven more than Mozart for some reason. I don't know much about Beethoven but maybe he was a bit nicer before he was deaf. And yes, Mozart was a nice person.