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Classical · sonata

Piano Sonata in C minor, K. 457, II. Adagio

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A sonata entered in Mozart's own catalogue. Piano Sonata in C minor, K. 457, II. Adagio is a sonata by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from the Classical era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • Classical
  • Key of E-flat major
  • gentle

Also known as Piano Sonata in C Minor - KV. 457 (2nd Movement); Piano Sonata in C minor, K. 457: II. Adagio.

History

Mozart entered the C-minor sonata in his work catalogue on 14 October 1784. It is associated with Vienna and dedicated to Maria Theresia von Trattner. Artaria published the parent sonata in December 1785. This movement shares that work history; the catalogue entry is not proof that every movement was composed on that one day.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. The song includes inner responses

    Repeated melodic notes and inner replies sit above regular broken support. Hear the soft singing phrase through its smaller decorations.

  2. The theme returns with richer ornament

    The opening phrase returns with more decoration and renewed lower support. Listen for the same singing contour beneath the quicker detail.

  3. Running figures prepare another return

    Cross-staff running figures and slowing words lead into another decorated theme. Follow the moving strand across its notation placement.

  4. Ornamental replies fade into detached sound

    The extended close uses ornamented replies and held punctuation before softer detached sonorities. Hear its gradual release after the longer decorated phrases.

How to practise it

Give the quiet opening melody space without turning the dotted ornament into a rush.

  1. Sing the long G into F, then add the tiny A-flat connector while retaining the quiet phrase.
  2. Practise the accompaniment softly at an even pulse, then sing the opening B-flat/G melody over it.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Highly ornamented melodic writing and contrasting passages require refined timing, voicing and coordination.

About this piece

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

More by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

  1. Menuetto in F for clavier, K. 1dLevel 2, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Rondo alla Turca, K. 331, IIILevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Piano Sonata in C Minor - KV. 457 (3rd Movement)Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Give the quiet opening melody space without turning the dotted ornament into a rush.

Practise it in PlayPiano