PIANO SONATA NO. 14 IN C MINOR, K. 457 BY W. A. MOZART: INTERPRETATION AND PRACTICE STRATEGIES

Abstract

        The objectives of the thesis, Sonata No.14 in C minor, K. 457 by Mozart: Interpretation and Practice strategies, are to interpret and analyze performance technique, and to present practice strategies. Moreover, the scope of the study includes interpretation and analysis covering 6 performance techniques: melodic presentation, ornament, fingering, dynamics, articulation, and pedaling. Based on the study of performance techniques, the researcher focuses on playing melodic lines clearly. Ornaments are mostly changed on the fingerings differently from the reference edition. Furthermore, the fingerings, in the other places, are changed. The researcher uses dynamics differently from the reference edition in some bars playing decrescendo and crescendo according to the direction of the notes. In the 1st and the 3rd movements, pedaling is added where the notes indicate loud play, while in the 2nd movement, pedaling is added throughout to connect the sounds of melodic and harmonic lines. The section on practice strategies is divided into 8 techniques found in this piece: 1) Arpeggios, practicing as block chord initially and then subsequently playing as written; 2) Ornament, playing with strong fingers and practicing only the ornament part; 3) Hand-crossing, practicing with one hand playing this technique; 4) Scales, focusing on practicing with different
articulations; 5) Playing continual 3rd intervals, practicing with an exercise from Hanon; 6) 2 melodic lines with right hand, memorizing the important melodic part first and later practicing both melodic lines utilizing extra wrist force on important melodic lines; 7) 2 melodic lines with left hand where pedal notes are, playing them carefully and steadily; 8) playing forte, utilizing extra arm force and leaning the body toward the piano.