Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata 11
in A Major, K. 331
This Sonata is more than its famous Turkish March. Particularly the first-movement variations on a beautiful Siciliano theme bring Mozart’s full inventiveness to bear.
Year: 1783
Period: Classical
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Three great Mozart movements
One of Mozart’s most famous sonatas, if not the most famous, is the Sonata No. 11 in A Major K. 331 featuring the popular Turkish March, or Rondo alla turca, as its final movement. Instantly recognizable and delightfully catchy, it alternates sections in minor with a rousing march theme in major. Two other movements complement the Rondo alla turca; a second movement in the form of a stately minuet and a first movement in variation form. Particularly the first movement brings Mozart’s full inventiveness to bear, employing many of his favorite variation devices to transform the opening siciliano theme: a jocular first variation in faster note values, triplet arpeggios, a contrasting variation in minor, crossing hands, a dignified Adagio variation, and a sprightly finale in a faster tempo. A favorite among late intermediate students and above, the sonata has brought joy to generations of listeners and pianists alike.Background
The Sonata No. 11 in A major K. 331 was composed in 1783 and published in 1784 alongside the Sonata No. 10 in C major K. 330 and the Sonata No. 12 in F major K. 332. The “Turkish March” movement was inspired by the style of music played by Turkish military bands, which was popular among Western audiences at the time.Forum posts about this piece:
How to play Mozart exquisitely.... by bernadette60614
I have big hands and my playing has been described as warm and strong. I find Mozart very difficult to play exquisitely. To achieve the refined sound I want on Sonata No. 11. Any...
What is the difference between grace notes with a stroke and one without? by leigh anne
Hello! I have encountered small notes (they are called grace notes if I am not mistaken) and some has a stroke or a slash in it while others don't. Can somebody tell me how to play these kind of notes? Do...
Let's Heat Things Up. by winsto7
What are the most overrated classical pianists or classical compositions out there? (Classical referring to the overall era rather than the specific one). I'll start: Pachelbel's Canon in...
Next piano piece by pius02
Hi! I am from Germany and playing since 7 Years and i would say I’m an advanced Player, but i can definitely improve. In recent years I have made very little progress and i want to change that...
Learning from teacher and from musescore/flat.io by pianoparent345
Hello, Our son is 6 years old. He started his piano lessons 6 months ago via Zoom. He is doing well on his lessons and is working through Piano Adventures Level 1 books with his teacher.
Recognizable themes by mariamith
Hello, hope you can help. I am looking for piano pieces that have very clear themes and motives in them. Like: Rondo Alla Turca _Mozart or wedding at Troldhaugen _ Grieg or Ronda e...
Preparation for Fantasia in C-minor and k.331 by zengap
Hello all! :) I need help with suggestions of pieces to learn before learning Bach's Fantasia in c minor bwv 906 and Mozart's k. 331 Andante grazioso. At the moment I'm learning...
Requesting elder wisdom - rhythmical lefthanding by raoul duke
Hello, I am completely new to this forum and would like to first and foremost say hi, so [b]hi[/b]! But I come to you a burdened man: I am struggling with the most diabolical of issues and...
Advices..? How to improve (when you’re bad at the piano... ;-;) by clmz.k
Hello, It may sound quite « childish » and dumb (?) but I am actually trying to play the Turkish March and this is maybe my 6th or 7th year playing the piano... I am 14 this year...
I need help, advices.... (please 😭😭) I’m very bad at piano (6years) I need tips by clmz.k
(Warning : my English isn’t very good...) Hello, I’ve been playing the piano for 6 years I think. I’ve never practiced regularly (can i say that, is it correct...?) I never really learnt about...
P.T.HS. and S.T.SS. What does this mean? by 1piano4joe
Hi all, I'm learning Rondo Alla Turca. The very beginning is marked with P.T.HS. Could someone please tell me what that means? Also, when the right hand octaves start there is a marking S.T.SS. I have...
my interpretation of last movement of mozart sonata no 11 in a major by superbsabrina33
hi! Sabrina here again, I am sharing with you guys a link to a video I posted on my piano channel, athyh377. It's the Rondo Alla Turca from the sonata by Mozart I mentioned above. Below is...
What is the use of appoggiaturas... by perfect_pitch
I know you probably think this is a bit of a silly question, but hear me out. Take for instance, the very well known 'Rondo Alla Turca' by Mozart. Why did Mozart bother to write out his theme like...
teacher says to give up! help! by olivialeonie
Hi! I am right now playing Mozarts Alla Turca and Debussys Arabesque 1 in E-major. I have been playing the piano for 6 years and i am 19 years old. My musictheory teacher (not my pianoteacher) said that i...
thoughts on using sostenuto for mozart's rondo alla turca? by pianodude1
i'm playing in a competition soon and i wanted to use this piece and i was gonna use the sostenuto pedal on this piece. any...
First piano competition. help! by pianodude1
i'll be performing in the first annual steinway and sons washington piano competition and the repertories is two pieces of contrasting styles and a playing limit of 15 minutes. i'll be using:
How many pieces at once? by mactavisho
Hi, I'm beginner-intermidiate piano student and my I'm usually working with my teacher on few pieces at once, a few months ago it was Mozart's Turkish March, Joplin's The Entertainer,...
Help please by woodenfarts
Hello nice people , My mom started teaching me piano when i was 6 , I kept playing till i reached grade 7 and stopped because i was lazy and my mom gave up hope on me because i didnt want to , but she always...
trills with 3 & 4 by mozartnoob
I came across a difficult passage that involved a trill with the 3 & 4 finger. I have noticed this in a lot of Mozart sonatas, especially k331 and 332. I just changed the fingering and got on with it. But...
Learning piano (No teacher) by tezt
So my situation is kinda strange, I started piano at a very young age I learned how to play notes ,rhythms (even though my inherent pulse is almost nonexistent), and got to book 5 of the Faber piano adventures...
sonata in A first movement by mozart by tbt
hi does anybody know the grade category this piece would fall in the ABRSM system.
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Sonata K. 331 in A Major, a composition by the classical composer Wolfgang Amadéus Mozart who was born in 1756 and died in 1791. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1783 and is part of Mozart's Sonatas.