When was Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor composed?
Mozart composed the Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310/300d, in the summer of 1778.
Questions about Piano Sonata No. 8 (Mozart)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor considered rare in his catalogue?
It is one of only two Mozart piano sonatas written in a minor key, the other being the Sonata No. 14 in C minor, K. 457.
What personal event coincided with Mozart writing Piano Sonata No. 8?
Mozart wrote the sonata around the time his mother died, during one of the hardest periods of his life.
Where is the manuscript of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 kept today?
The autograph manuscript is preserved at the Morgan Library & Museum.
How many movements does Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 have and how long does it take to perform?
The sonata has three movements and typically takes around 22 minutes to perform.
What other Mozart work was composed alongside Piano Sonata No. 8?
The Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor, K. 304/300c, was composed alongside it, and some have suggested his mother's death shaped the sombre mood of both pieces.