K. 19d, Sonata for Keyboard Four Hands

K. 19d, Sonata for Keyboard Four Hands

This is a work of debatable authenticity.  I thought about skipping it, but it is the first piece of the keyboard duet nature. I couldn’t think of another work he may have played with his sister, Nannerl. Imagine what it would have been like for a young boy to be in constant proximity to his sister.  At that age, I’ve had numerous scrapes with mine, many of which drew blood. (I’ve got a scar on my elbow where she wacked me with a curtain rod.)  And then, they performed together? I’d have never been able to do it.  The aggravation and jealousy would be fuel of an interesting historical study. Too bad the movie Mozart’s Sister failed miserably at capturing the tension and contrived historical absurdities.  

The Allegro first intensifies its lively spirit, adding moments of drama with slammed strokes.  The second is a menuetto trio, and carries a hopeful reflection.  I’m still trying to understand the concept of menuetto, and such.  From the limited research I have done it incorporates more complexion than a simple tempo mark.   Although, I have a hint of a grasp on the Minuet form, the rondo eludes me.  What make a rondo a rondo?  I looked it up, and it is still mostly confusing.  Note patterns and blah... Blah... Too bad, because my favorite movement is the rondo of K. 219.  And the rondo of K. 19d is the most moving.  The work as a whole seems more mature to me.  Maybe, that may be why scholars debated whether Mozart composed this work.  Plus, add the (I’m guessing) complex structure of a rondo…  However, it still feels like something Mozart could have written.  But, I’m tone-deaf, so how would I know?