Sonata K. 331: I. Variation 3

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Level 5 (Advanced) · Classical · Piano

The third variation of the first movement, in A minor: the right hand unfolds the theme in broken octaves, legato. A keyboard work by Mozart, a model of Classical balance and clarity. A minor, 6/8, 18 bars (about one minute), complete score.

▶ Play this piece with the interactive score

How to practise it

• Listen first: the site plays it while the score scrolls.
• Wait mode: the score waits for you at every note, at your own pace.
• Tempo challenge: play in time, with a score and a map of the bars you got right.
• Keep the wrist loose in the broken octaves and let the top note sing. With Mozart clarity comes first: even runs, light left hand, no unnecessary pedal. In 6/8, count the beats as groups of three eighths (dotted beats) to keep the lilt. One hand sometimes plays two voices: hold the long notes for their full value and let the main line sing louder than the accompaniment.

More pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Fugue in G Minor KV 401/375e — K401 Two Hands
• Fugue fragment Anh. 41 (375g)
• Sonata K. 331: theme (Andante grazioso)
• Sonata “facile” K. 545: I. Allegro
• Sonata “facile” K. 545: III. Rondo
• Sonata in C major (fragment) (K6 deest)
• Fugue in E-flat major K. 153
• Fugue in G minor K. 154

Source : Mutopia Project · Public Domain