Violin Sonata No. 32

Album: Mozart: Sonatas For Fortepiano & Violin, Vol. 3 (1784)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Violin Sonata No. 32" is a work for violin and piano composed by Mozart in 1784. The sonata comprises three movements:

    Largo - Allegro: The first movement begins with a slow, expressive introduction in the key of B-flat minor, which sets the tone for the entire sonata. Haydn's "Op. 50 No. 1 String Quartet" and Beethoven's "String Quartet No. 1" later echoed the opening theme.

    Andante: The second movement is a graceful and lyrical andante. The piece has a melodious quality reminiscent of an adagio, which was initially the tempo notated by Mozart but later replaced by "Andante."

    Allegretto: Although the final movement reverts to the lighthearted atmosphere of the first, it is, nevertheless, a highly intricate Rondo.
  • Mozart composed the "Violin Sonata No. 32" in Vienna on April 21, 1784. He wrote the piece for a concert a week later in the Kärntnerthor Theater in Vienna to be performed by him on piano and virtuoso Regina Strinasacchi of Mantua on violin.

    Mozart didn't have time to write down the piano part for the debut performance of his Sonata 32, so he put a piece of blank paper on his stand. The great Austrian composer sat down at his piano and busked his way through it. Through his opera glasses, Emperor Joseph II spotted the blank page and asked for the sheet music. Mozart had to confess to Austrian emperor about his scheme to fool the audience.
  • Mozart's "Violin Sonata No. 32" appears in A Message from Akira Kurosawa: For Beautiful Movies. The 2000 documentary covers the filmmaking of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa around the theme of making the perfect movie.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.