Haydn, Franz Joseph : Sonate für Klavier Nr.38 Mov.1 Moderato
Work Overview
Genre:sonata
Total Playing Time:5 min 00 sec
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Ooi, Kazurou
Last Updated: March 5, 2025
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Author : Ooi, Kazurou
This is a truly delightful and optimistic first movement. While showcasing Haydn's unique sense of humor, it also contains dramatic sections, making it an excellent work. Regarding this first movement, there is no great need to worry about tempo fluctuations; many performers can play it consistently at a single tempo. For this first movement, there is one point to note and one point to devise.
Point to Note: Pedal Usage
First, regarding the point to note: minimize pedal usage as much as possible. This is simply because there are many 32nd notes written, and using the pedal would cause muddiness. For example, please refer to measures 38-39. The left hand plays quarter notes, and the author's score indicates tenuto markings. While it is understandable to want to use the pedal to sustain these notes sufficiently, doing so would muddy the C and B in the right hand. As a method, by depressing the pedal "for just an instant" only at the end of the beat when the quarter notes change – that is, at the moment of transition from beat 1 to beat 2 – the quarter notes will be connected, and since the pedal is used only momentarily, muddiness will not be a concern.
Point to Devise: Varying Expression
Regarding the point to devise: constantly vary the expression. In this first movement, sequential phrases often appear in groups of three or two. For example, when there are a total of three phrases: one from the upbeat of beat 2 in measure 6 to beat 2 in measure 7, another from the upbeat of beat 2 in measure 7 to beat 2 in measure 8, and a third from the upbeat of beat 2 in measure 8 to measure 9, play these three phrases with entirely different expressions. Similarly, there are three phrases from beat 2 in measure 12 to the downbeat of beat 2 in measure 14, from the upbeat of beat 2 in measure 14 to the downbeat of beat 2 in measure 16, and from the upbeat of beat 2 in measure 16 to beat 1 in measure 20. Please look for other such phrases with different pitches or harmonies. And try to devise ways not to play them identically.