Description
The rondo that closes the Sonata facile, K. 545. It is the shortest of the three movements, over in about a minute and a half, and it ends the sonata brightly with a light theme that keeps returning. For a beginner playing all three movements, it is small enough to leave some stamina in reserve.
In C major and duple time, the theme is assembled from short figures and is memorable on first hearing. The episodes lean towards the minor and change the colour before the bright theme comes back at once. The span reaches five octaves.
The task is to stay light. The faster it goes, the more easily the sound turns heavy, and the moment it does the movement loses what it has. Keep the fingers moving in small motions close to the keys and never let the left hand come forward. Varying the character a little at each return of the theme keeps even this short movement from flattening out.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
Browse all songs in Piano Sonatas →Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
What this piece teaches
The finale, a Rondo in C major: a short, bright theme that keeps coming back, a light-footed close. It draws together the evenness and lightness of everything before it.
How to practise it
- The theme is short; get it light and secure first.
- Play it straight after the first two movements to feel how differently the three are characterised - and note the day you first play them all through in the practice journal.
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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