Mozart sonatas

[franz_]

Which sonata is technically not too hard?
And what do you think of the second sonata in particular?

[autodidact]

The least difficult is K545, in C Major.
After K545, I would say the next least difficult (I refuse to use the word "easy") sonatas are probably K279, K282, and K283 (not necessarily in that order).

[beebert]

How abOut schubert sonatas?

[franz_]

Yes, tell me. what about schubert sonatas. I'm curious to the last 3.

[beebert]

Well, they are all difficult.

[lorditachijr]

With Schubert, I'd suggest studying at least two of his smaller pieces like the Impromptus prior to learning one of the sonatas. They are a lot harder than they look. And the ones that look really hard, well...

I think most people start Mozart with K545. I performed all 3 movements of it and then didn't even touch Mozart for 3-4 years. Then I did K310. After you've been introduced to the style, I think you could probably handle any of them if your technique allows. One of my friends had to do one Mozart Sonata every year with his previous teacher, and it gave him a very polished technique. If you play them well, they are all very rewarding pieces.

[williampiano]

Which sonata is technically not too hard?

The first Mozart sonata I learned was K. 309 in C Major which I learned when I was eleven years old. If you have less experience, I would not suggest that as a first\easiest sonata. Like everybody else has mentioned, you might want to try K. 545 first. It is technically much simpler than any of the other sonatas.

And what do you think of the second sonata in particular?

By second sonata, I assume you mean K. 280. Technically, I don't believe it is one of the easiest ones. Looking at it, it almost seems as though it may require more stamina than some of the others and seems to contain a few passages with difficult fingerings and rhythm. Then again, I haven't ever played that piece, so I can't exactly say.
Anyways, most of them are all relatively close in level, (except for K. 545, which is the easiest) so as long as you put in a little extra time, it won't matter if one is a little harder than another because they are all accomplishable.

[cmg]

I think everyone needs to reconsider the achievements of the 18th-century piano sonata and come to the obvious conclusion that Mozart's efforts in this area were inferior -- not only to other composers but in regard to his total output.  Compare any of his sonatas to one of his operas or concerti and you begin to see the obvious weaknesses.  His efforts in this direction were rather uninspired. 

Opt for Haydn if you need to master a classical sonata.  Infinitely superior to Mozart's rather pale efforts, with maybe the exception of the A minor sonata.   

[williampiano]

Compare any of his sonatas to one of his operas or concerti and you begin to see the obvious weaknesses.  His efforts in this direction were rather uninspired.    

Well of course his sonatas are going to be a lot weaker than his operas or concerti. Compared to operas and concerti, sonatas are supposed to be smaller and less extravagant in general. In the 1700s, sonatas were used for background music in parlors, same with that of Haydn, Clementi, etc.

Opt for Haydn if you need to master a classical sonata.  Infinitely superior to Mozart's rather pale efforts, with maybe the exception of the A minor sonata.    

I disagree. I would rank most of Mozart's sonatas as equal to most Haydn's best Sonatas. Then again, it is only a matter of opinion.  I would honestly say Beethoven's sonatas are superior to both of them.