I stumbled upon this musical gem when I purchased Mozart, 14 of his Easiest Pieces (Alfred, publisher) Not at all deceived by the description "easiest," I read through the collection knowing the challenge of interpreting the master's music with expression and refinement. It should be noted that this Minuet was composed by Mozart at the age of 5 or 6, under the guidance of his father, Leopold.
The works of Mozart whether dating from his early or later years require a singing tone, adherence to various articulations relative to the Classical style of the time, and a sparse use of pedal. In the Minuet I have selected, K. 5, I use no pedal at all.
The F Major Minuet showcased in the video has a particular vitality when it journeys from the opening triplet figure to a string of after beat 16th notes (grouped in 3s) The execution of these repeated figures requires a forward moving, supple wrist as I demonstrated in the tutorial.
What stands out in this composition and makes it more unique than minuets of the time (including Mozart's own output) is the glaring dualism of triplets and 16ths. One can say that dividing the quarters into triplets and then quickly having underlying eighths or 16ths to the quarters provide engaging musical moments. It gives the piece a sparkling vitality.
This particular rhythmic dichotomy was particularly appealing and it wooed me to learn the composition in short order.
My musical insights about this charming Minuet are shared in the course of my attached video. Hopefully the step-by-step learning process will be helpful to students embarking upon a magical Mozartean journey.
Mozart has always been one of my favorite composers, and my earliest exposure was not through his minuets but vis a vis the Sonatas. My beloved teacher, Lillian Freundlich first gave me Mozart K.311 in D Major to study, followed by his Concerto no. 17, K. 453 in G Major. These two works ushered in a bounty of the master's musical treasures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8vLvv57lQg
