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Classical · rondo

Rondo alla Turca, K. 331, III

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A sonata whose date remains a range. Rondo alla Turca, K. 331, III is a rondo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from the Classical era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • rondo
  • Classical
  • grand
  • playful
  • ornaments

Also known as K. 300i/3 (older Köchel number); K. 331/3; Mozart, K. 331 movement III, Alla Turca; Rondo alla Turca, K. 331: III.

History

The Köchel catalogue places the parent A-major sonata between 1779 and December 1783, with Salzburg and Vienna listed as its dating places. Artaria published it in 1784. This movement belongs to that larger sonata: the range is not an independently established completion date for this movement.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A pickup leads into a light opening

    Four short pickup notes lead to a detached note and a rest, followed by another short figure. Keep the connected figures distinct from their detached landing notes.

  2. Let the line rise without rushing

    An uninterrupted short-note pattern leads to a higher accented note and two detached notes. Keep the run even and make its arrival clear without accelerating toward the top.

  3. Small ornaments introduce chord shapes

    A quick grace figure leads into a detached accented note and paired-note chords. Direct the ornament toward its landing, preserving the regular main-note pulse.

  4. Close the section with a clear release

    The paired-note figure changes before a held closing note. Let that close finish the opening section while keeping the written repeat separate from the phrase itself.

How to practise it

Make connected figures, detached arrivals and small ornaments sound different.

  1. Lead the pickup into a clear detached arrival.
  2. Keep the rising run even rather than accelerating toward the top.
  3. Place ornaments around a stable main-note pulse.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The upper-intermediate target concerns a complete rondo with controlled articulation, balanced support and dependable contrasting returns. Recognizing the familiar opening is a smaller target.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

  1. Menuetto in F for clavier, K. 1dLevel 2, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Piano Sonata in C Minor - KV. 457 (3rd Movement)Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Make connected figures, detached arrivals and small ornaments sound different.

Practise it in PlayPiano