Page 7 - UM0028 - Sonata in D major for Piano Four Hands, KvB

The Quatre Mains Sonata in D major is an under-appreciated work and as far as we know this is its first edition. Surprisingly, the last movement is not in the main
key of D major but rather, in A major. It is quite possible that this movement actually does not belong to this work but was in fact meant for a different one. There
is nearly always similarity in the form and key of a classical sonata which would mean that the key of the last movement should be the same as the first. The
composer Karl most probably intended for this sonata to be played by students because it is simply written and by no means has the same complexity as the Sonata
in D major Opus 6 written by his brother in the same key. This small masterpiece was also intended for students.

However Karlꞌs work has uninspiring moments and lacks depth. In some places it is clumsily written. Possibly Karl was aware of this which could be the reason why
it was never published. Despite this, the work was mentioned in the catalogue of the Viennese publisher Artaria in 1801. Perhaps, criticism from his famous brother
prevented Karl from composing after this point.

The Quatre Mains Sonata in D major was originally composed of 3 parts. However I added an extra movement Scherzo Vivace to it based on material derived from
12
his brother that was also likely intended to be played as a four-handed piece. This material was found, in its most simple form, in a few early note books.
The Allegro first movement has a simple main/sonata form with a strange modulation which deviates somewhat from the classical form. However, I left the notes
completely intact. Normally speaking, the exposition should end in the dominant A, but Karl ends in the key of G. The development is also simple and amateur. At
this point, I intervened in order to create some sort of an acceptable form.
It was also necessary to adjust the second Andante movement, particularly the voices and size, in order to make the piece playable. Though the notes were not
changed as such, their positioning was. This created more cohesion and a more professional sound.
The third movement Scherzo Vivace had the strongest composition because the voices and form has been correctly written.
The last movement Allegro Vivace has the weakest content because Karl had no idea how to give it form. The form and relationship between the first and second
themes, so far as one can call it such, are arranged so illogically that intervention was necessary. The original version was written in A major whereas this version
was transposed to the main key of D major. Furthermore, many notes were incorrectly written. From bar 67, there is an extensive sextuplet movement that I have
largely deleted for practical reasons.

With these interventions and some adjustments, a very nice quatre mains piano sonata has arisen despite some musical weaknesses here and there. The quatre
mains literature is not very thickly studded with original work. This Quatre mains Sonata in D major can meet this need and is above all fascinating because it is a
work composed by the brother of…

Cees Nieuwenhuizen

12 The Kafka sketchbook autograph miscellany from circa 1786 to 1799, Volume 1 Facsimile, edited by Joseph Kerman. London 1970

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