Haydn

Haydn - Allegro molto (3rd mvt from Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50)

This is the last movement of the so-called “English” Sonata in C, inspired by the powerful and resonant Broadwood pianos Haydn encountered on a visit to London in the 1790s. The music is full of humour and lightness of spirit, requiring a sense of comic timing in the fermatas. Dabs of pedal add colour and resonance to the accents (the spread chords) but use it sparingly elsewhere to preserve clarity of texture and articulation.... Read >>

Haydn - Finale, Presto (3rd mvt from Sonata in D, Hob.XVI:24)

This light-hearted presto is full of witty turns of phrase, not least the string of interrupted cadences towards the end – musical banana skins sure to trip up the listener. In order for the pianist not to trip up, make sure you can sustain the tempo you choose for the beginning throughout (things get busier in the second half). A variety of different touches, and dabs of pedal here and there will add colour and interest. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links... Read >>

Haydn - Minuet and Trio (2nd mvt from Sonata in D, Hob. XVI:4)

ABRSM Grade 5 – A2

In the Classical Period a minuet was a stylised dance in triple time, elegant in character. It was customary to follow a minuet with a trio, after which the minuet was repeated (creating an overall ABA structure); we find minuets and trios in symphonies as well as in other multi-movement forms, such as sonatas.This piece requires a strong rhythmic backbone as well as some articulation and delicacy with the ornamentation. Do we play the right hand in bar 7, for example, legato or detached? Perhaps the first beat might be detached, and a slur added between the second and third... Read >>

Haydn - Allegro moderato (1st mvt from Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI:32)

ABRSM Grade 7 – A1

Haydn’s music is so often sunny and positive in mood, with a humorous streak. The Sonata in B minor is surprisingly dark and dramatic in Sturm und Drang style, with only brief hints of brightness in the second subject material of the exposition. That the first subject is highly ornamented and we find no dynamic markings hints that Haydn may have intended the work for harpsichord. Needless to say, any performance on the piano needs to be pianistic: brought to life by a relatively wide range of dynamics and subtle use of the pedal. ... Read >>

Haydn - Finale (3rd mvt from Sonata in C major, Hob XVI: 35)

This good-humoured finale has sparse dynamic markings, leaving the pianist plenty of opportunity for imaginative colouring and shaping. It requires precision in touch, especially in the dotted rhythms, and judicious use of the pedal to add colour and resonance where appropriate. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link).... Read >>

Haydn (arr. White) - Andante (2nd mvt from Trumpet Concerto in E-, Hob. VIIe:1)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B2

This arrangement by Martin White of the slow movement from Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto contains few notes, giving the player the opportunity to feel the symmetry of the music and to shape the right hand phrases melodically. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission... Read >>

Haydn - Allegro Moderato (1st mvt from Sonata in A-Flat, Hob. XVI:46)

ABRSM Grade 8 - A2

This sonata movement offers plenty of scope for the player to explore different dynamics, touches and expressive characterisation in the wide variety of ideas Haydn presents. There are delicate ornaments and sighing appoggiaturas in the outer sections, along with shapely scale patterns. The development section, featuring exhilarating toccata-like figuration, takes us through an unusually adventurous range of keys. Light, judicious pedalling will enhance the performance.... Read >>

Haydn - Andante (3rd mvt from Sonata in G, Hob. XVI:8)

A duo between the hands, this movement is in a singing style with gentle articulations in the quavers. Keep the tempo very moderate, shaping the lines with expressive hairpin crescendo-diminuendo colourings. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. ... Read >>