On the internet, I found an interesting Viva Piano thread about Beethoven's sonatas - which was the "easiest", which the best one to begin with. (I believe the Op 49 sonatas were considered best to start with, and were graded 5).

Can someone please recommend the same for 1) Mozart's sonatas; 2) Haydn's sonatas; and 3) Schubert's sonatas : which ones to begin with and a possible indication of grade.

Many thanks,
Sterling

The AB have published three books of Haydn Sonatas -
I have one of these to hand, (AB, selected keyboard sonatas book one) and with a quick flip through I 'd say around grades 4-5 (with one or two short movements easier than that). They are a mix of opus numbers though; books two and three are correspondingly more difficult, which may be a useful way of approaching them I guess - if you want something harder than grades 4-5 go for book 2 etc.

One or two more definitive points from book 1 -
Sonata in G Hoboken 16/8 b(first mvt) was grade 4 in 2003-4,
Finale of Sonata in A Hob 16/12 is grade 4 this year.
Sonata in G Hob 16/G1 was grade 5 in 03-04
etc.
Hope useful in small way.

Very helpful indeed! Many thanks!

Sterling

Sonata in G Hoboken 16/8 b(first mvt) was grade 4 in 2003-4,
sorry - there's an extraneous b in there somewhere (and Hoboken numbers do sometimes have odd letters in so could be confusing !) it should read

Sonata in G Hoboken 16/8 (first mvt)

Mozart wise, fairly obviously the famous K545 is the easiest.
But what I consider to be the second easiest (first movement at least) is K332 in F, which is astonishingly set for grade 8, but isnt really! Same applies to K330 in C.
A couple of ones in B flat arent too bad either - K570, and I think the other I'm thinking of is K332, I'm away from home at the moment so these are from memory.
Some of the earlier Haydn sonatas are not what I call really good sonatas. The best ones start at Hob 16 No 32 or so. Theres a G major one in 6/8 time thats easy, and a D Major one, probably in the late 30's within Hob 16 numbering. Again without a copy in fornt of me I cant be sure of the numbers.

None of the Schubert sonatas are particularly easy! All grade 8 at least.

Mozart K282 in E flat is really nice. Played the firts movement at Woodford and just played it through tonight a couple of times. Planning on starting the second movement with my teacher in a couple of weeks.

Yes of course I had forgotten the K282, thats probably the second easiest after K545, cosidered as a whole sonata. I think the slow movement was set a year or two ago for Grade 6 or 7.

The second movement (often played separately as two minuets) is in grade 6 trinity guildhall, and the first movement is in Trinity first conncert certificate (post grade 5 recital certificate) which I'm going to sit a week on Monday!

Best of luck!

Some of the earlier Haydn sonatas are not what I call really good sonatas. The best ones start at Hob 16 No 32 or so. Theres a G major one in 6/8 time thats easy, and a D Major one, probably in the late 30's within Hob 16 numbering.


Further to my earlier post, from which I quote above, the easier Haydn one in G Major is Hob. 16 no 40, (the slightly harder D Major I referred to is Hob 16. No37.) The G Major is probably only Grade 4 or so, and there is also an element of humour in its simplicity! Its even marked 'innocente'

Would you say Hayden G major (Hog 16 no 40) is similar in standard to Beethoven G major (op 49 no. 2)?

Had a listen to a version I found on line. Sounds quite nice.

I may try that one after the certificate exam. I really quite like the idea of playing fairly extensive pieces that are relatively simple!!

Yes indeed, possibly the first movement is easier than the two Beethovens Op 49, the second movement similar to the Beethovens, but its pretty fast!

By the way the previous one , Hob16 (Not HOG! ) No 39 also in G is not much harder either.

Might have a look at that after the exam.

Playing fast is a major hang up for me - I tend to equate speed with difficulty, which is why I found the Mozart K282 adagio far less daunting than the Beethoven op 49 no. 2 Allegro non troppo!

Playing a few realtively "easy" but fast classical sonata movements will probably be a good thing to do!!!

I would reccomend the Mozart sonata in C , K 545 as well.
Nice, simple and straight forward.

Are there's any Haydn's sonatas around about dip level?

It was also on the DipABRSM piano syllabus - another example of it not being the technical difficulty as how well you play it. Great piece, though!