Description
The first movement of Piano Sonata No. 7 in C major, composed in 1777 while Mozart was in Mannheim on his travels. His letters show it was written for Rosa, daughter of Christian Cannabich, director of the Mannheim court orchestra. It opens with the rapid ascending figure known as the Mannheim Rocket, a hallmark of the local orchestral style of the time, giving it an energetic start.
It is in C major and 4/4, an Allegro con spirito in sonata form. The contrast between a forceful opening motif and the gentle answer that follows produces vivid alternations of loud and soft throughout. At about four minutes seventeen seconds it has some 2,378 notes. With a clear exposition, development and recapitulation, it is a good piece for learning the framework of sonata form.
Rated intermediate, its bass goes below a 61-key keyboard and no octave shift fits it, so 76 keys or more suit it. The challenges are evenness in fast scales and broken chords and quick switches between forte and piano. Slowing the playback to work out fingering for the fine figuration, and looping passages that move through keys with A-B, brings the young Mozart's wit and energy within reach.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, and achieved fame as a child prodigy before establishing his career in Vienna. In a life of only 35 years, he produced masterpieces across symphonies, operas, chamber music, and keyboard works. His style combines clarity and formal balance with rich emotional depth. This site includes movements of the Sonatas K. 545 and K. 331, the Fantasia in D minor, K. 397, and several fugues.
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