Product Description
One of his most famous piano works is Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, often called Sonata Facile or Sonata Semplice. Composed on June 26, 1788, it was intended "for beginners," according to Mozart's thematic catalog, though its musical depth also makes it appealing to advanced pianists.
Overview
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Key: C major
Catalogue: K. 545
Style: Classical period
Movements:
Allegro
Andante
Rondo: Allegretto
Duration: Approximately 11 minutes.
Historical Context
The sonata was composed during the same period as Mozart's monumental final symphonies, including Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K. 543, completed on the same day. Despite its simplicity and charm, the original manuscript is lost, and the work was published posthumously in 1805.
Musical Analysis
Allegro:
Written in sonata form, this movement features a lively theme accompanied by an Alberti bass in the left hand.
The exposition transitions from C major to G major, followed by a development section that modulates through various keys before returning to C major via an unconventional recapitulation starting in F major.
Andante:
In G major, this movement is lyrical and introspective.
It modulates through several keys (e.g., G minor, B major) before returning to G major for the recapitulation and concluding with a coda.
Rondo: Allegretto:
The finale is in rondo form with a cheerful first theme in C major.
Subsequent themes explore G major and minor keys before returning to the tonic for a lively conclusion.
Legacy
This sonata's accessibility has made it a staple for piano students worldwide. However, its nickname, Sonata Facile, does not imply simplicity in performance; mastering its nuances requires skill and musicality.
Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 16 remains a quintessential example of Classical elegance and innovation.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.