Mozart: Piano Sonata K331 (with Rondo alla Turca): For Cello

Here is the sheet music of a cello transcription of Mozart‘s magnificent piano sonata in A Major K331, transcribed for cello with simple accompaniment.

FIRST MOVEMENT: Theme and Variations

This movement, when played with all of Mozart’s repeats, lasts more than 12 minutes and with its six very different variations is like a stand-alone concert piece (Fantasia). Each of the six variations has the same structure with an 8-bar phrase followed by a 10-bar phrase, both of which are repeated. Unlike for the repeats of huge sections in symphonies and large-scale works, the respect (playing) of the small repeats in this movement seems to be absolutely necessary. The key for the cello transcription has been lowered by a major third, bringing it into F major.

In this transcription for cello and accompaniment, several versions are offered:

a version for “equal” duo in which the accompanying instrument is given the melodic protagonism for each repeat (and the cello takes the accompanying voice). This is not only respectful towards our pianist but also makes the repetition of each section much more interesting for our listeners. In the repeats, the cello part has sometimes been enriched with some more singing, melodic countermelodies.
an “unequal” duo in which the cello keeps the melodic protagonism at all times and the accompanying instrument always stays in its accompaniment role. In this version, we will need to make an effort to make each repetition interesting by changing dynamics, ornamentation etc. Because the accompaniment part in this version is simpler and easier, this is the version we would probably use if we are playing with a harp or guitar. This “Unequal Duo” version is also offered as a cello duo, with the accompaniment part played by a second cello.

Both versions come with an “Easier Version”. In the case of the “Equal Duo”, the easier version is easier only in the sense that the most complex passagework has had the notes simplified. In the Unequal Duo version, the Easier Version has had all the higher-register passages taken down an octave.

Here below are links to the downloadable/printable sheet music:

Here are the engraving files (XML):

Engraving Files (XML)

The accompaniment – especially the simple one of the “unequal” duo – can also theoretically be played on the harp or guitar. When played on the piano, we may want to fill in the harmonies with the pianist’s “spare” hand and fingers. The accompaniment actually works surprisingly well also when played by a second cello although we have simplified the faster, more complex Alberti basslines (the entire second variation) which although very well-suited to the piano can be very awkward on the cello.

Here is an audio of the original piano sonata movement, recorded in 1958 by the extraordinary Walter Klien (1928-1991). It is played here in our key of F major so that we can play along with this master interpreter if we wish:

SECOND MOVEMENT: Menuetto and Trio

Once again, the accompaniment part is skeletal. If played on the piano it (the harmonies) will need to be filled out. As with the cello transcriptions of most of the Mozart Piano Sonata slow movements, the accompaniment sounds much better when played on the harp, for which the need for filling out the harmonies (texture) is less.

Here are the engraving files (XML):

Engraving Files (XML)

And here below is a downloadable audio of the play-along accompaniment to this movement, played on the harp. There is a two-bar introduction:

THIRD MOVEMENT: Rondo alla Turca

This brilliant, sparkling, all-time-greatest-hit of Mozart’s can be played quite comfortably on the cello even though it is a fast piece that was originally written for the piano (what we play is the right-hand of the last movement of his Piano Sonata K331). Mozart’s original key is A minor/major but it is offered here in two other keys in which it is more suited to our instrument. The “Performance Version” is in F while the “Easier Version” is in C, one fourth lower. No notes have been changed for either version but 3 1/2 bars of optional piano introduction have been added before the cello’s theme starts.

Here is a link to the sheet music of Mozart’s original piano version:

Original Piano Sonata Movement

The piano accompaniment parts (piano scores) offered here below are quite easy to play because they are basically just the left hand of the original piano part (the original piano part, but with the melodic line now removed and given to the cello). A computer-generated play-along audio of the accompaniment in each key is also offered. An introduction of 3.5 bars has been added so that we can know when to start playing. If we actually download these audios then we can change their tempi (speed) with the wonderfully useful Amazing Slowdowner program:

1: HIGHER VERSION (IN F MINOR/MAJOR)

Here is the downloadable higher-key play-along piano accompaniment, with 3 1/2 bars of piano introduction so that we can know when to start:

2: LOWER (EASIER) VERSION (IN C MINOR/MAJOR)

Here is the downloadable lower-key play-along piano accompaniment, with 3 1/2 bars of piano introduction so that we can know when to start: