Haydn Piano Sonatas: An Examination of Style and Performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Haydn's major keyboard works are sonatas, and these generally represent Haydn's growth as a composer from his early years until 1794, the date of his final three sonatas. The early sonatas are often set in the galant style and were composed as teaching pieces for students. Another group of sonatas is illustrative of a period of artistic development, often referred to as his Sturm und Drang period. Here, Haydn explores new elements, such as the use of minor keys, the growth of both the exposition and development sections, and a higher degree of dramatic character. His late sonatas show a mature and refined piano compositional style, with a noticeable growth of virtuosic elements in Hob. XVI: 50 & 52. Moreover, Haydn's sonatas often exemplify the Empfindsamer Stil, imitating the gestures of keyboard writing seen in Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's works. Haydn's early sonatas were mostly written for harpsichords, and then he switched to fortepianos during his late period. This document explores the pianistic and interpretational challenges in Haydn's keyboard sonatas, and includes performance techniques to meet these demands.