Sonata Pieces

Question 1

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - who was it written for?

Answer 1

For the Auenbrugger sisters, Caterina and Marianna, who were excellent pianists in Vienna

Question 2

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - when was it published?

Answer 2

1780 as part of a set

Question 3

What is interesting about the first movement?

Answer 3

The transition in the exposition (bars 9-16) does not fill the usual role of changing key. Instead it remains in the tonic (D major), ending on the dominant chord, and the second subject simply begins in A major. This means that the transition can be virtually the same in the recapitulation (where the music remains in the tonic) although the first two bars are omitted

Question 4

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - what interesting chromatic chords are used?

Answer 4

Bar 28-35: Neapolitan 6th and a diminished 7th

Question 5

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - the second movement is slow, what is there influence of?

Answer 5

The sarabande

Question 6

What is the sarabande?

Answer 6

A type of dance often found in Baroque instrumental and keyboard music

Question 7

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - second movement:how does it show influence of the sarabande?

Answer 7

With dotted rhythms, long held notes, triplet Demisemiquavers and suspensions

Question 8

What sort of music was Haydn exposed to?

Answer 8

As a chorister, to much Baroque Music

Question 9

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - Second movement: how are Classical conventions challenged?

Answer 9

There are two sections with the first being repeated. The first phrase is a standard 4 bars, but the second is extended to five bars, first section is 9 bars in total. Contrasting to the stereotype of Classical “balanced” phrasing, where phrase lengths are equal

Question 10

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - Finale: what is the dominant pedals purpose?

Answer 10

The link passage (bars 81-93) ends with repetition of the note A. This is a dominant pedal and its function is to prepare for the return to the tonic

Question 11

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - Finale: How is there a clear use of rondo form?

Answer 11

With repeat signs and chances of key signature identifying where sections begin and end

Question 12

Haydn Piano Sonata in D major No50/ Hob. XVI: 37 - Finale: Instead of offbeat quavers what does he use?

Answer 12

Alberti Bass, frequently found in Classical music

Question 13

Mozart Piano Sonata in C major No16, K 545 composed in 1788, who is this for?

Answer 13

Mozart called this a sonata “for beginners” and frequently played by people learning the piano now, published in 1805 after his death

Question 14

Beethoven Piano Sonata No3 in C major Op2 No3 - how did Beethoven compare to Mozart and Haydn?

Answer 14

He knew their piano sonatas and stretched and extended the established forms, tonality and ways of combining different texture

Question 15

Beethoven Piano Sonata No3 in C major Op2 No3 - in this sonata how did he make some changes to the ways M+H composed?

Answer 15

• 4 movements (not 3)
• Scherzo not minuet
• thicker textures (eg opening of the first movement is in 4 clear parts)
• first movement long development section, CADENZA and coda
• augmented chord bar 208 first movement

Question 16

What is often claimed as the first example of a duo sonata?

Answer 16

Beethoven Sonata for Cello and Piano in A, Op69, with the instruments on completely equal terms. The cello begins the melody alone pointing to a more prominent role. However, the musical material is subsequently shared equally between both instruments

Question 17

Beethoven Sonata for Cello and Piano in A, Op69, who was it dedicated to?

Answer 17

Baron von Gleichenstein (a patron of Beethovens who played the cello)