Description
This D-major sonata stands out as a delicate gem among Mozart's eighteen piano sonatas, often likened to a pansy or violet due to its modest size compared to the more substantial D-major sonatas K. 284 and K. 576. Rarely performed in concert settings and infrequently featured in piano lessons, it lacks the dramatic depth of the A minor Sonata K. 310 and the poignant slow movement found in the C major Sonata K. 309, both of which were published alongside it in Paris in 1778. Nevertheless, K. 311 offers significant pianistic value; the opening movement presents various technical challenges such as hand crossings, lively runs, parallel sixths, and wide interval tremolos. The slow movement, marked "Andante con espressione," encourages expressiveness, a quality that often eludes many pianists, while a clever compositional surprise appears at bar 25. The finale, with its spirited 6/8 meter, not only evokes the essence of the "Hunt Sonata" K. 576 but also resembles the solo sections of a Mozart piano concerto. Overall, this sonata presents a rewarding challenge, appearing more complex than its actual technical requirements suggest.
