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Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1: Violin & Piano

$31.95 USD
$31.95 USD
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Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1 Cover Image
Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1: Violin & Piano

Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1: Violin & Piano

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / ed. Cliff Eisen

Item: 98-EP7579A
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Description

This complete edition of the Mozart Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin has been researched and prepared by Cliff Eisen, one of the most distinguished Mozart scholars of our time.

Professor Eisen recognises that many of the apparent inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies of Mozart's notation are perfectly deliberate, and that the attempts in many other editions to impose uniformity upon similar phrases or musical paragraphs can be misguided.

As he writes in the preface: 'the notion that the classical style represents a model of symmetry, balanceand clarity is for the most part a 19th-century fiction. . .it has little to do with Mozart's actual practice, which is based primarily on variety of both content and articulation.

So in this new edition, alternative readings found in parallel passages are preserved, rather than being sterilised by a spurious quest for conformity.

Naturally all such instances are noted within the Critical Commentary. The highly individual beaming within Mozart's autographs is also respected in the new edition, as this often contributes to our aural perceptions of phrase structure and accent. Professor Eisen is conscious that there is no single 'Urtext' for this music. On the contrary he believes that 'there is compelling evidence that Mozart's later performances of his works were characterised by changes - sometimes substantial changes - in the musical text'.

It is the achievement of this edition to indicate how far this freedom of musical expression can extend, andas such it is likely to take pride of place in the collections of all those involved in the study and performance of these masterpieces.

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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: Edition Peters
Page Count: 136
ISBN10: 0-57-708452-6
ISBN13: 979-0-57-708452-7
SKU: 98-EP7579A

More about this title

About the Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart composed his sonatas for keyboard and violin across two decades, from his childhood prodigy years through his mature Vienna period. These works reveal his evolving approach to the partnership between instruments, moving from keyboard-dominated writing toward genuine dialogue and equal partnership, making them essential documents of how the Classical sonata developed.

His output in this genre spans from simple, elegant pieces suitable for amateur musicians to sophisticated works that challenge professional violinists and pianists alike. The sonatas remain foundational to both string and keyboard pedagogy, offering models of clarity, charm, and structural sophistication that reward careful study.

Why we love this

Eisen's editorial approach honors Mozart's actual compositional choices rather than imposing 19th-century ideas of uniformity onto the music. You get authentic beaming patterns that clarify phrasing and rhythm, plus a Critical Commentary that explains textual decisions, giving you and your students access to the thinking behind each note. This transforms the edition from a simple reading score into a learning tool.

What to expect

These sonatas sparkle with conversational charm and intimate exchanges between the two instruments. The music balances formal clarity with surprising harmonic turns and moments of genuine lyrical beauty, often unfolding with deceptive simplicity that conceals considerable compositional craft.

Who it's for

Violinists working toward upper-intermediate and advanced repertoire will find these sonatas essential, particularly students preparing for competitions or conservatory study. Teachers seeking authentic, scholarly editions that foster critical thinking about musical text will value the textual apparatus and historical perspective.

How to get the most out of it

  • Respect Mozart's beaming even when it appears unconventional; it encodes his phrasing intentions and often clarifies where to breathe or shape.
  • Study the Critical Commentary to understand which variants exist across sources, then make deliberate interpretive choices rather than defaulting to habit.
  • Recognize that articulation markings in Mozart's autographs are sparse and intentional; their absence is as meaningful as their presence.
  • Balance the violin and keyboard as partners rather than treating the keyboard as mere accompaniment, especially in the later sonatas where Mozart wrote with increasing sophistication for both.

How to use it

Program a single sonata or a selection of movements across a recital season to showcase your student's growth; each sonata stands alone as a satisfying performance. Alternatively, contextualize them in a themed concert exploring the Classical sonata or Mozart's chamber music alongside works by Haydn or Beethoven.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading period-appropriate notation conventions and understanding how beaming affects phrasing
  • Balancing violin and piano as equal partners in dialogue
  • Navigating textual variation and making informed interpretive choices
  • Understanding harmonic language and structural conventions of the Classical era
  • Sustaining longer formal structures with clear architecture and shape

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