Piano Sonata in D major

Hearing the answering voices

Imitation is central to K. 576: an idea heard in one hand becomes something for the other to answer. Dossin singles out its scales, arpeggios and imitative writing. The Adagio offers a different surface, but it still needs a melody that can be heard above its moving background. These contrasts make the complete sonata more than a test of fast fingers.

At the keyboard

Practise a short imitative passage by singing each entry while playing the rest softly. When the hands exchange material, let the listener hear the exchange rather than a sudden change of volume. In the Allegretto, separate the melody from the smaller accompanying notes before combining them. Choose a tempo at which that distinction survives.

Music in this edition

1. Piano Sonata in D major