A Comparison of Mozart's Piano Sonata in B flat K281 and Sonata in B flat K570.
Although nowadays it is popularly believed that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is admired most notably as the supreme master of instrumental, sacred and opera music by no means does that mean his piano output occupied an inferior position in his compositional legacy. Of the 626 works catalogues Kochel, no fewer than a 102 works, almost one-sixth of the total, are devoted to piano. Written in Vienna, 1789, Sonata in B flat K570 is considered one of Mozart's finest sonatas. In addition this sonata has always been a personal favorite of mine due to the elegance and power contained in all three movements: allegro, adagio and allegretto. In this dissertation I intend to discuss some of the sonata's stylistic features in the areas concerning those features melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, structural and form in comparison to one of Mozart's earlier piano work. Sonata in B flat K281 was written in Salzburg 1774. The sonata although is lesser known and is perhaps considered a sonata facile is a typical example of Mozart's earlier style in writing piano sonatas. The sonata, which is divisible in 3 parts: allegro, andante amoroso and rondo. The two sonatas are demonstrative of Mozart's earlier and later musical styles as well as being reflections of how his styles changed over the years in his compositional career. .
Both entitled Allegro, the opening movements of K281 and K570 are of similar length. Whilst K281's Allegro is 2/4 and the K570 in 4/4, they both bear the simple duple time. However as Mozart gives no specific tempo markings the definition of Allegro is somewhat debatable. Although allegro is generally regarded as a tempo marking in its own rights, it can also be interpreted as meaning happy or lively. Therefore, most performances vary slightly in tempo. However, there are more difference in terms of phraseology and rhythmic features in the openings than similarities in the openings of the two sonatas.