Piano Sonata No.54 Hob.XVI:40, G major
Sonata · in G major · Hob. XVI:40
Joseph Haydn 1732–1809
G major
Key
Sonata
Form
Hob. XVI:40
Catalogue
Score
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Difficulty
Our estimate Intermediate
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Themes & character
Only two movements·Written for a princess·Variation form opening·Published 1784
At a glance
- Catalogue
- Hob. XVI:40
- Key
- G major
- Form
- Sonata
About the piece
Published in 1784 as the first of three sonatas dedicated to Princess Marie Esterhazy, the wife of Haydn's employer's heir. All three are cast in just two movements rather than the usual three.
It opens with an alternating variation movement, a Haydn specialty in which two themes, one major and one minor, are varied in turn, and closes with a brisk presto. The compression suits it: nothing is padded.
The composer
Joseph Haydn
1732–1809
Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was pivotal in the evolution of chamber music forms like the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have led him to be called "Father of the Symphony", "Father of the String quartet" and "Father of Sonata form".
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