Published in 1805, Joseph Woelfl’s Trois Sonates, Op. 33, represent a brilliant synthesis of Classical clarity and pianistic daring. A contemporary of Beethoven and a pupil of both Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Woelfl was known in his lifetime as a formidable virtuoso. These three sonatas exemplify his energetic and extroverted style: tight formal control, infectious rhythms, sparkling passagework, and a clear melodic profile throughout.
While grounded in Classical form, the sonatas push the technical limits of their time. The outer movements dazzle with rapid figuration and clever transitions, while the slow movements are lyrical and harmonically refined. Especially notable are the playful Alla Polacca finale of Sonata II and the perpetuum mobile coda of Sonata I—passages that reveal Woelfl’s flair for combining humour, virtuosity, and structural ingenuity. These sonatas stand as a vital link between the Mozartian sonata and the brilliant style of later composers like Hummel and Moscheles.
Quick Overview
- Composer: Joseph Woelfl (1773–1812)
- Edition: Urtext (FE017)
- Pages: 53 (49 + IV) pages.
- Difficulty: Level 7–8 / 10
- Editor: Martijn Vromans
- Paper: A4, 120 gsm cream (Clairefontaine)
- Binding: Black steel wire binding
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