Mozart style

[scherzo123]

Hi, I'm studying two Mozart piano sonata movements-K284 (1st mvt.) and K330 (1st mvt.). I have trouble figuring out Mozart's style and how musicians should interpret his exquisite music. I know it has something to do with orchestra and opera, but I don't know how to show it in my playing of the Mozart sonatas. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

[asuhayda]

Hey!

Generally I think of it this way.  Mozart was around during a time when Opera was very popular.  So, his Sonatas are very operatic.  Meaning, they often have different characters (as I'm sure you probably already know).

The challenge with Mozart's Piano Sonatas is that they are very exposed.  It's harder to cheat your way through Mozart.  You'll find that the technical difficulty is not as grandios as say Beethoven or maybe even Haydn, but nevertheless playing Mozart well is very tricky.

You should take the score pretty literally.  My teacher used to make me count on the eigth notes (i.e. 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +) out loud while playing it.  The idea was to make sure that I was not cheating my counting even a little bit.

It's also especially important to make sure that you get a good edition of Mozart's sonatas as that can influence your style as well. I almost always recommend Henle Verlag, but I understand that they are not cheap.  (although, there's a reason for that...)
 
Mozart is light and fun-loving ... it should be playful (but in some cases "longing").  Never heavy.

Pedaling can be challenging as well.  You don't wan't to use full pedal very often. So, you're foot should be busy.  Some people don't like to use pedal at all with Mozart, but I think it should be used (intelligently).

Shape and close your phrases.. identify the characters.. keep it light.. trust and follow the score (don't play Rubato like you would with Chopin).

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[j_menz]

Generally I think of it this way.  Mozart was around during a time when Opera was very popular.  So, his Sonatas are very operatic.  Meaning, they often have different characters (as I'm sure you probably already know).

Other than this, I generally agree with you.

I don't find them to be particularly like his own operas, even the seria ones. Do you have a particular example in mind? I've played all of them and can't think of any that fit with your description.

[philb]

Other than this, I generally agree with you.

I don't find them to be particularly like his own operas, even the seria ones. Do you have a particular example in mind? I've played all of them and can't think of any that fit with your description.

They are somewhat operatic in the sense that they are, much like most works of Schubert, are vocally derived.

[j_menz]

They are somewhat operatic in the sense that they are, much like most works of Schubert, are vocally derived.

I'm afraid I still don't see it. I don't see it with Schubert, either. Just cause a chap wrote songs and because his piano works have a tune........

[forte88]

I've heard his piano concertos described as operatic(characters in the different instruments, like pc 21-1) but his sonatas? If that's so, just about every sonata ever written is operatic

[asuhayda]

Hey!

I guess I don't mean Operatic in the sense that they are literally derived from one of his operas.  But an example would be K332 mvmt 1.  There are two very distinct "characters" in that movement. It reminds me of an exchange that you would here during a duet in an opera.  I think philb hit it on the head about being vocally derived.  I guess that's more what I was trying to say.


As far as all sonatas being Operatic... I definitely don't see that.  Beethoven's sonatas were very symphonic in a sense.  Scriabin's Sonatas are too atonal to be operatic.  Scarlatti.. well, I'm not even sure Opera was around when Scarlatti was writing Sonatas (but I'm not sure).

[forte88]

As far as all sonatas being Operatic... I definitely don't see that.  Beethoven's sonatas were very symphonic in a sense.  Scriabin's Sonatas are too atonal to be operatic.  Scarlatti.. well, I'm not even sure Opera was around when Scarlatti was writing Sonatas (but I'm not sure).

I meant that I didn't believe Mozart sonatas were operatic, but you've already corrected yourself