Mozart Piano Sonata Nº 16 in C K545: Transcribed for Cello and Simple Accompaniment

Here is the sheet music for the entire Mozart Piano Sonata Nº 16 K545 (“Easy” Sonata), one of Mozart’s most loved, transcribed for cello with a simple accompaniment. The accompaniment can be played by (adapted to) many instruments: piano (mainly only left hand), guitar, harp etc. We also offer a version of the accompaniment for a second cello, converting the entire sonata into a cello duo. The Sonata is offered in two different keys:

transposed down by a fourth into the key of G major, which brings it down into a very comfortable register for the cello
in the original key of C major, which lies quite high for the cello

The lower version is definitely the preferred one. The high, original key version is basically just a curiosity. another curiosity is that in Mozart’s original score, there is not even one dynamic written!

TRANSPOSED DOWN A FOURTH INTO G MAJOR:

MOVT I: Allegro

Engraving Files (XML)

Here is an audio of a play-along accompaniment, played (quite fast) on a piano, with no repeats. If we actually download it, then we can play it at different tempi with the wonderfully useful and simple Amazing Slowdowner program. A two-bar introduction has been added so that we can know when to start playing:

Here is a home recording of this movement played by the transcriber with the above accompaniment:

And here is a home recording of the cello duo version:

MOVT II: Andante

What a beautiful movement this is ! The accompaniment part is perfectly suited to harp (or guitar). When accompanied by a second cello, the entire accompaniment is (or can be) played pizzicato. The permanent oscillation between the lower and higher strings is best fingered (by the right hand) with the thumb plucking the lower string and a finger plucking the higher string. This not only makes our pizzicatos more fluid and easier but also helps us to allow each note to ring on, as if with a piano pedal. This accompaniment is the most beautiful “study” imaginable for working on our pizzicatos.

Engraving Files (XML)

Here is an audio of a play-along accompaniment, played by a harp. A one-bar introduction has been added so that we can know when to start playing:

Here is a home recording of this movement with the above accompaniment:

And here is a home recording of the cello duo version:

MOVT III: Rondo Allegretto

Engraving Files (XML)

Here is an audio of the accompaniment. A one-and-a-half-bar introduction has been added so that we can know when to start playing:

Here is a home recording of this movement played by the transcriber with the above accompaniment:

And here is a home recording of the cello duo version:

ORIGINAL KEY (HIGH) VERSION IN C MAJOR:

This is an older, unrevised transcription that could (should?) have been deleted in favour of the lower, G major version above. It is published here only really as a curiosity and – because it lies quite high on the cello fingerboard – as a very pleasurable source of musical material for practicing/playing in thumbposition.

MOVT I: Allegro

Here below is an audio of the original piano sonata movement, played in the original key by Walter Klien:

And here is the downloadable/printable sheet music for the original key (high) cello transcription:

A play-along audio of the piano accompaniment for this movement can be found here below. It starts with a very unimaginative two-bar introduction to allow us to both get ready and to know when to start. In this audio, both sections are repeated.

MOVT II: ANDANTE

Here below is an audio of the original piano sonata movement, played in the original key by Walter Klien:

Here is a play-along audio of the accompaniment played on the harp. A one-bar introduction has been added so that we can know when to start.

MOVT III: RONDO ALLEGRETTO

Here below is an audio of the original piano sonata movement, played in the original key by Walter Klien: