Description
An early keyboard sonata likely written before 1765 for Prince Esterhazy, it exhibits elements of his later sonatas such as the thematic development of the first movement and the contrast between movements. As I have mentioned before, I believe slower than usual tempos bring out the elegance and expressivity capable with these works.
This sonata has been recorded both by John McCabe and Rudolph Buchbinder with markedly slower tempi than found in the conservatories where it is often taught. I believe a more moderato tempo of 80=1/4 note for the Allegro and a typical Minuet tempo of 104 = 1/4 note help achieve this musicality. I would point to my direction for guitarists to silence certain notes with the right hand as being necessary to keep the melody intact. I also rarely use open strings on descending scales for the same reason.