Sonatine I - Andante

History

This Andante is movement 2 of Kuhlau's first Op. 20 Sonatina. The International Friedrich Kuhlau Society dates the sonatina to approximately 1819 and records its first publication by Breitkopf & Härtel in 1820. Those dates belong to the parent work, not to independently documented completion dates for its three movements.

Sources

• kuhlau.gr.jp

What to listen for

1. 1

   A small pickup into a singing phrase

   A short F-A pickup leads into repeated C notes and a rising gesture. Keep the dotted pickup crisp while letting the longer melodic phrase remain relaxed.

2. 2

   Let the rests shape the answer

   Short dotted figures interrupt the longer notes before the phrase comes to a rest. Keep those figures light and make the rest part of the phrase rather than an accidental pause.

3. 3

   Notice the lower-part melody

   While the upper part holds chord tones, the lower part takes up a more melodic C-note gesture and descent. Listen across the texture rather than assuming the tune always belongs to the upper staff.

4. 4

   A decorated closing gesture

   Rapid dotted figures lead into repeated closing chords. Keep the decoration directed toward the closing sound and avoid a last-minute increase in speed.

How to practise it

Keep the decorated upbeat light over quiet repeated chords.

1. Practise the upbeat into the first three C notes.
2. Practise that lower change without adding upper attacks.
3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Sonata journeys

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

More by Friedrich Kuhlau

1. 1Sonatine I - AllegroLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Sonatine I - RondoLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro