Mozart’s Allegro in B-flat Major, K. 3

Composition & Context

Mozart’s Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3 is one of his earliest compositions, written in Salzburg in 1762 when he was only six years old. It appears in the “Nannerl Notenbuch,” a teaching notebook compiled by his father Leopold Mozart. According to accounts, the young Wolfgang played these short keyboard pieces while his father wrote them down and corrected any mistakes. This Allegro was entered into Nannerl’s notebook on 4 March 1762[4].

Form & Musical Character

This miniature Allegro is bright and lively, reflecting the Classical galant style, though its harpsichord origins lend a slight Baroque flavor. It follows a simple ABA (rounded binary) form: an opening section in B-flat major, a contrasting middle passage that briefly shifts to C minor, and then a return of the opening theme. The piece features expressive two-note slurs and light articulation typical of its era. Because it was intended for harpsichord or clavichord, it should be played crisply and gracefully, avoiding heavy dynamics to maintain a delicate, conversational tone.

Reception & Legacy

Mozart’s early keyboard pieces (including this Allegro) remained unpublished until 1878[9], but in the 20th century they gained popularity as educational repertoire. The Allegro in B-flat has been included in many beginner piano collections and exam syllabi[10], as these Nannerl Notenbuch pieces are ideal for elementary teaching – tuneful yet technically accessible. Pianists and scholars also appreciate them as charming glimpses of Mozart’s precocious childhood talent.