Staff Pick
“A great sonata!”
The works of Frederick the Great are often neglected which is strange. He was a prolific composer and wrote mostly in the form slow, quick, quick, possibly because he was usually thinking about going off to battle. This sonata is no exception. The opening Largo is stately but very sad. It opens in the unexpected key in B flat minor and, sensitively played, it can be a real tear-jerker. The two fast movements are much happier and written with simple rhythms and a great deal of energy. If you have never played any of Frederick's works so far this a great place to start!
Difficulty guide: 5-7
Difficulty level, roughly compared to ABRSM exam grades. 0 is total beginner, 9 is advanced (beyond grade 8).
