Piano Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 — II. Tempo di Menuetto

About this work

This Tempo di Menuetto is not an exercise in bowing politely. Its regular theme retains a dancing gait, but accents, replies and changes of register stop the phrase from becoming too comfortable. The trio brings a different light without interrupting the movement’s flow.

First choose a tempo in which the crotchets can breathe and ornaments remain natural. The left hand supplies the floor beneath the steps; it must neither drag nor cover the melody. In repeated chords, distinguish the note that leads the phrase from those that complete the harmony.

The menuet’s return depends on aural memory. Recover its original character while allowing the journey through the trio to remain audible. Slightly lighter articulation and clearly prepared cadences are enough: the form does not need exaggerated contrasts in order to make sense.

What the document containsContents: the Tempo di Menuetto and its trio occupy five pages of solo piano; a listening MIDI helps trace the form.This LilyPond edition comes from Mutopia and is in the public domain. LesPartitions.info checked the sections, playback and correspondence of all five pages with the historical entry.