Mozart's Sonata k331

Mozart's Sonata k331

The first movement of Sonata K331 is comprised of a theme, six

variations and a coda. The theme comprises of 18 bars: four times four

bar phrases with an 'extension' tacked onto the end. Mozart followed

this strict binary theme but this does not mean that the music is at

all predictable; he uses different techniques to bring the best out of

this form, as detailed later. The extension is an example of Mozart

surprising the listener and enhancing the journey to the end of the

theme. Each of the groups of four bars ends with a cadence. This is

periodic phrasing, one of many signatures of 'galant' musical style

(also known as Viennese classical music) that had its emphasis on

pleasing the ear with simple melody than brash counterpoint or

intricate texture.

It would be wrong to assume that the basic 8 bar theme (disregarding

for a moment the 2 bar extension) and it's 6 variations are prone to

lack of continuity- although the form can be clearly heard and there

is distinct difference between each variation, several dominating

melodies and musical ideas run through the piece. The Andante rarely

leaves the key of A major, giving the listener a solid base from which

the melodies spring from and grounds the listener so when Mozart

embellishes and decorates the notes in later variations, the driving

force behind the music are still recognisable.

Continuity can also be judged by the form of the piece. The binary

form theme of 4-bar antecedent followed by four bar consequent lets

each train of melody be absorbed and compared easily. However, on the

other side of the argument, the form could be criticised for being to...

... middle of paper ...

...tion can be heard in bar 81 where the left hand plays

chromatic appoggiaturas followed by a fast bridge in bar 83.

Also in bar 83 we have the marking 'sforzando', the first time since

the theme. This is followed in bars 83 to 90 with a repeat of bars

73-79. Is this repetition of bars a positive or negative attribute?

Critics would argue that this shows a bland use of space and lack of

tonal variation but others believe this is just another tool used by

Mozart to make the listener appreciate the strong melody of the

movement.

Initially, the sonata could be criticised as in the title, and does

indeed have short passages that do not lend themselves to continuity

and vast tonal contrast. However, Mozart has managed to overcome this

and, through the tools explained above, produced an interesting and

enjoyable piece.