Mozart Violin Sonata in G Major K379: Transcribed For Cello

This Mozart Violin Sonata is presented here transcribed for cello but in the same key as the original violin version. This means that any standard piano part can be used (see imslp.org). Although the sonata is written in two movements, the long and deeply moving Adagio with which it begins is almost like a whole separate movement. In fact, its duration (4 minutes without repeats) is longer than that of the Allegro that follows, and it is usually considered as a different track number on recordings. So we will consider this sonata as being composed of three movements, with the first two played “attaca” (without a break).

FIRST AND SECOND MOVEMENTS

1.   Edited Concert Version
2.      Clean Concert Version
3.      Easier Version
4.      Literal Transcription

In the first and second movements the only note alterations are the transposition down an octave of bars 188 and 189 and some revoicing of chords in bars 116 and 117. The lower-register passage found between bars 86-90 could, if we prefer, be transposed up an octave for better projection, but this has not been done in the edition presented here.

Here below is a downloadable play-along audio piano accompaniment provided kindly by the Violin PlayAlong YouTube channel:

LAST MOVEMENT

1.   Edited Concert Version
2.        Clean Concert Version
3.        Easier Version
4.        Literal Transcription

In the last movement (Theme and Variations) there are no note changes from the original but Variation III is transposed down an additional octave not only in the Easier Version but also in the Concert Versions. We are able to do this thanks to the cello’s C string, which of course the violin doesn’t have. There seems to be no point struggling with this Variation in the higher octave but brave and/or curious cellists can play from the Literal Transcription to see how it lies in Mozart’s intended higher octave.

Here below are two downloadable play-along audio piano accompaniments provided kindly by the Violin PlayAlong YouTube channel. In the first one, Variations II and III are played at a slightly slower tempo: