Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten)

Thoughts on learning Mozart Sonata No. 12 in F, K. 332 (first movement)

After my review of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Drawing Room” Sonata K. 545 in C, Allegro, I discovered by comparison that the opening movement of K. 332 in F Major, had a more complex mosaic. In the short space of its nearly three page exposition, K. 332’s multiple themes weave through markedly contrasting sections. *A Sturm und Drang, or “storm and stress” impassioned set of “minor mode” measures, for instance intersperses more lighthearted “Major” phrases. Perhaps Mozart’s shifts of mood/emotion and dynamics early on in the Exposition, foreshadowed what the composer later expressed with rich development and poignance in his last Symphonies 39, 40 and 41.

*Music History – Sturm und Drang Movement
from: http://www.digital-daydreams.com

“During this period, a new literary and artistic movement called “Sturm und Drang” (meaning storm and stress) had an impact on music. It soon became fashionable to write music that was slightly turbulent and hinted at emotional depths which reflected the political upheaval and cultural transformation which was occurring at this period in time. The name came from a 1777 play by Klinger and music which represented this style included Gluck’s opera “Orfeo ed Euridice” and some of Mozart’s operas.” (I would add Mozart Symphonies and Sonatas where applied)

More About Sonata in F, K. 332 (WIKI)

“The Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, K. 332/300k, was written at the same time as the Piano Sonata, K. 330 and Piano Sonata, K. 331 (Alla turca), Mozart numbering them as a set from one to three. They were once believed to have been written in the late 1770s in Paris, but it is now thought more likely that they date from 1783, by which time Mozart had moved to Vienna.[1] Some believe, however that Mozart wrote this and the other sonatas during a summer 1783 visit to Salzburg made for the purpose of introducing his wife, Constanze to his father, Leopold. All three sonatas were published in Vienna in 1784.”

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As a relative newbie to K. 332, I conjecture that my early, baby-step learning process might assist others in their respective musical journeys, so I’ve attached a short tutorial.