25th Annual Student Research Conference
The Realization of Mozart's Expressive Keyboard Style in Andante un poco adagio, K.309
Tyler C. Kielb♦
Dr. David McKamie and Dr. Ilia Radoslavov, Faculty Mentors
In October of 1777 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) wrote a letter to his father regarding a new make of Stein pianoforte that he encountered during a recent visit to Augsburg. He elaborated at length on this piano's sensitivity, evenness of touch, effective escapement action, dampers, and knee lever. The necessity for these mechanical features translate directly into his sonata scores, which from K.279 onward contain increasing nuance in dynamic markings and articulation. Particularly in the Andante un poco adagio of K.309, Mozart takes advantage of the expressive capacity of this new pianoforte through use of dynamic contrast and gradations, including the crescendoan unreliable or altogether impossible practice on earlier pianofortes or the harpsichord. The Stein piano made it possible to produce such detailed musical nuances precisely; thus, the Piano Sonata K.309 stands as Mozart's full realization of a new truly expressive style of keyboard playing.
Keywords: Mozart, Stein, Piano, Expression, Sonata, K.309
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 301-2
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 1:15