Though Mozart had written many pieces to perform with his sister Nannerl, this C major sonata was possibly initially intended for a talented young pupil for whom he had previously composed the piano part in an earlier work, the Kegelstatt Trio in Eb major for clarinet, viola and piano K.498. However, the ultimate dedicatees were two daughters of a wealthy Viennese merchant, Babette and Marianne Nortrop. It was composed in 1787, the same year Mozart wrote Don Giovanni, as well as a couple of string quintets and the Eine Kleine Nachtmusik serenade. It is entered in Mozart's thematic catalogue the very day he heard of his father's death.
Both parts of the duet are equally demanding. Uniquely among his duet sonatas, the manuscript specifically designates first and second piano, leading Albert Einstein to believe that the sonata would be best suited to be played on two pianos rather than one.
All three movements of this Sonata sparkle with spirit and contain passages of extreme brilliance, giving weight to Mozart's statement that this Sonata is “rather difficult”. After an exciting Allegro, the beautiful Andante movement, in the key of F, contains a more agitated middle section in a minor key. The final Allegretto is a delightful Rondo, where the simple theme returns frequently in a movement that is full of charm and interesting harmonic shifts.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata for Piano Four-Hands in C Major KV. 521 Play
Recorded on 06/01/2011, uploaded on 01/14/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegretto
Though Mozart had written many pieces to perform with his sister Nannerl, this C major sonata was possibly initially intended for a talented young pupil for whom he had previously composed the piano part in an earlier work, the Kegelstatt Trio in Eb major for clarinet, viola and piano K.498. However, the ultimate dedicatees were two daughters of a wealthy Viennese merchant, Babette and Marianne Nortrop. It was composed in 1787, the same year Mozart wrote Don Giovanni, as well as a couple of string quintets and the Eine Kleine Nachtmusik serenade. It is entered in Mozart's thematic catalogue the very day he heard of his father's death.
Both parts of the duet are equally demanding. Uniquely among his duet sonatas, the manuscript specifically designates first and second piano, leading Albert Einstein to believe that the sonata would be best suited to be played on two pianos rather than one.
All three movements of this Sonata sparkle with spirit and contain passages of extreme brilliance, giving weight to Mozart's statement that this Sonata is “rather difficult”. After an exciting Allegro, the beautiful Andante movement, in the key of F, contains a more agitated middle section in a minor key. The final Allegretto is a delightful Rondo, where the simple theme returns frequently in a movement that is full of charm and interesting harmonic shifts.
More music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lacrimosa from Requiem K. 626
Soave sia il vento, from Così fan tutte
Rondo in D Major, K. 485
Hostias from Requiem K.626
Sonata in D Major
Concerto No.21 Do major 2nd moviment
12 Variations in C Major on “Ah, vous dirai-je Maman” K. 265
Benedictus from Requiem K. 626
Piano Concerto 12 KV 414 (1ºmov)
Piano Sonata No. 8 in a minor, K 310
Performances by same musician(s)
Danse Russe and The Shrovetide Fair, from Petrushka
Tango No. 2
Prelude Op. 3, No. 2, in c-sharp minor
Libertango
Prelude Op. 23, No. 2, in B-flat Major
Fantasy in f minor, D. 940
La Valse
Prelude Op. 32, No. 5, in G Major
Prelude Op. 32, No. 10, in b minor
Prelude Op. 23, No. 10, in G-flat Major
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