Mozarts Sonata No.

8
in a minor, 1st mov.
The piece was written in 1778, when Mozart and
his mother were traveling in Paris. Unfortunately,
Mozarts mother became seriously ill and died
unexpectedly during the trip. After her death, Mozart
wrote letter to Leopold, his father, describing how sad,
disappointed and regret he was.
It was believed that this Sonata was shortly
written after his mothers death. However, some
historian critiqued he might started the piece shortly
before his mothers death.
This piece is very unique, written during
composers most tragedy in his life. Also, the piece is
titled in a minor. Overall 600s of Mozarts
compositions, only about 30s are in minor key. This
piece is one in it! Prof. Dr. Narongrit said any piece by
Mozart were titled in minor key often occurs
something very special in that piece.
Overall the piece seems dark, serious and quite
obsessive, showing what Mozarts feel while he wrote
this piece. Beethoven has mentioned this is one of
Mozarts best piano Sonata, and also has a sense of
expressing emotion, which later becoming romantic
music.
First movement is Sonata form with 2 main
themes. The primary theme has 2 idea, both are in a
minor, which are as follows

1st theme, 1st idea

Theme-1 begins with a very strong emotion, with
the repeating chords. These give a feeling of stress
and seriousness, especially when in minor key. The
first idea has 2 measures, but then repeat and
developing to extend the idea.

1st theme, 2nd idea

The Second idea of the first theme is very unique
in composers time. The idea of syncopation appears
on this motive, though it occurs on strong beat, gives
the very good feeling of contrast.
The transition transfers to G major. The emotion
of glows was built from the primary theme, until
everythings break down at the end of transition by the
strong G-dominant (to C in the secondary theme). The
followings is the transition idea

transition
Secondary theme is in relative Major (C Major). It
seems that the composer wants to show the hurried
and confusing though this part is in Major key. Overall
secondary themes motives are almost in sixteen
notes. The secondary also has 2 ideas, which are as
follows

2nd theme, 1st idea

2nd theme, 2nd idea

The closing section is in C major, using the ideas
from both primary and secondary theme. The idea
from primary theme occurs on the upper part.
Theme2s idea of sixteen notes appears on the below
part. The closing section ends with the very strong C
Major chord. The following is the closing section idea..

closing section
Development section has 3 main ideas. The first
idea has recycled the primary themes idea, but in C
major.

development, 1st idea

The second idea may considered using the motive
from the first theme, and also has the new idea. This
part changes key signature from B to E and A Major,
due to the circle of fifth.

development, 2nd idea

The 3rd idea, has transfers various key signature.
It is as follows

development, 3rd idea

The recapitulation has almost everything the
same as exposition part. However, everything is in
tonic minor.
According to the entire piece, exposition occurs
from the first measure to measure-49, the first theme
occurs from first measure to measure-15, the
transition starts from measure-16 to half of measure22, the secondary theme stars from end of measure22
to 44, the closing theme begins from measure 45 to
the end of exposition, development occurs from
measure 50-79 and the recapitulation starts from
measure 80 to the end of the movement at measure
133.

Bhannavichaya
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