Introduction: the "Sonatina"
A sonatina is a musical composition resembling a mini-sonata. Where a sonata is considered a sophisticated and relatively complex piece of music, a sonatina is a lot shorter, lighter in character, and less technically-demanding. In fact, composers generally wrote sonatinas precisely for this purpose – as teaching material for their students. For this reason, most piano teachers will have their students learn several sonatinas before jumping into actual sonatas. That way, students will be much more prepared to handle a sonata (and other more complicated musical works) both technically and intellectually.
Teacher/Student Notes:
There are of course quite a few sonatinas to choose from. In this article, my purpose is to help you make this choice easier by introducing you to three sonatinas that are considered on the easier side and which I have enjoyed playing and teaching to my students over the years. It’s important to keep in mind that sonatinas would not be appropriate for complete piano beginners. A student must be at least a high beginner/low intermediate level to begin to tackle a sonatina. Also, although sonatinas normally contain 3 (and sometimes 2) movements, it is rare for a student to actually learn all the movements. Most often, only one movement is learned. Music exams at the low intermediate level also generally specify that only one movement is to be performed.
#1. Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 1 by Muzio Clementi
A bit about the composer:
Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) was an Italian-born English pianist, composer, teacher, and conductor among many other things. Out of his considerable compositional output, his sonatinas in particular have enjoyed considerable success and are widely used even to this day in piano teaching.
The sonatina featured here is the first and the easiest of the six contained in his Op. 36. For this reason, this is usually one of the very first sonatinas I have my students learn (usually just the 1st movement).
Interesting fact: In 1781, Clementi participated in a musical contest with Mozart in Vienna, where they took turns performing and improvising at the harpsichord for the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II. The emperor declared it a tie!
- Composed: 1790s
- Key: C Major (F Major 2nd mov.)
- Time: 2/2, 3/4, 3/8
- Movements: 3 (Allegro/Spiritoso, Andante, Vivace)
- Duration: ~ 4 minutes
- Ability Level: low intermediate (RCM Level 3)
- My personal rating: 5/5 (love it!)
WHAT’S EASY ABOUT IT:
- The key(s). C Major as well as the F of the 2nd movement are both easy keys to play in. You won’t find many black keys here.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT ABOUT IT:
- 1st and especially 3rd movement tempo. Bringing out the correct articulation at the fast tempos will take a bit of practice, especially for the 3rd, vivace movement.
- Trills. Although there aren’t many of them, the trills in the 2nd movement might be a bit of a challenge for low intermediate students, but only if you decide to learn the 2nd movement.
#2. Sonatina in G Major, Kinsky-Halm Anh. 5, No. 1 attr. Ludwig van Beethoven
A bit about the composer:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a German pianist and composer who has had profound influence on almost every musical genre. Though he is mainly known for his larger and more complex works like symphonies and sonatas, there several sonatinas that are also attributed to him (we cannot know for sure that he was their actual composer). The one featured here is probably the most famous one in that regard – Sonatina in G Major.
Interesting fact: Beethoven began losing his hearing in his late 20s and it continued to deteriorate for the rest of his life.
- Composed: n/a
- Key: G Major
- Time: 4/4, 6/8
- Movements: 2 (Moderato, Romanza)
- Duration: ~ 4 minutes
- Ability Level: low intermediate (RCM Level 3)
- My personal rating: 5/5 (love it!)
WHAT’S EASY ABOUT IT:
- It’s short. With only 2 movements instead of the usual 3, and with many repetitions, this sonatina is a bit easier to learn should you decide to do that.
- The tempo. Moderato and romanza are both comfortable tempos that should not pose much of a challenge to low-intermediate students.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT ABOUT IT:
- Nothing here should present much difficulty to a low-intermediate piano student, aside from the proper articulation and character you will need to make this piece sound its best.
#3. Sonatina in F Major, Op. 168, No. 1 by Anton Diabelli
A bit about the composer:
Anton Diabelli was an Austrian composer, music editor and music publisher. He composed works for piano as well as for guitar, and several of his compositions have enjoyed a level of popularity even to this day. This particular sonatina is one such example.
Interesting fact: As a young man, Diabelli studied to be a priest, and actually lived in a monastery for several years, until 1803.
- Composed: n/a
- Key: F Major (B♭ Major 2nd mov.)
- Time: 4/4, 3/4, 6/8
- Movements: 3 (Moderato cantabile, Andante cantabile, Rondo: Allegretto)
- Duration: ~ 5 minutes
- Ability Level: low intermediate (RCM Level 4)
- My personal rating: 5/5 (love it!)
WHAT’S EASY ABOUT IT:
- The tempo. The first two movements are in relatively slow and comfortable tempos that shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to low intermediate students.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT ABOUT IT:
- 3rd Movement. In addition to being in the tempo of Allegretto, the 3rd movement also has a lot of quick staccato notes in both right and left hands. This requires a very light touch and might take some practicing to get just right.
- Duration. With 3 movements and around 5 minutes of complete playing time, this one is a might take a bit longer to learn should you decide to do the whole composition.
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