Sonata TWV 40:105 - Complete
- Master E minor with one sharp
- Develop expressive minor mode playing
- Execute siciliano rhythm fluently
- Perfect modal mixture (major/minor)
About This Piece
Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Difficulty: Late Intermediate
Notes Used: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, D#, E (high), F# (high), G (high)
Key: E minor
Movements: I. Largo - II. Allegro - III. Siciliano - IV. Vivace
Fingering Review
Movement I - Largo
A melancholic opening with expressive minor mode character.
Movement II - Allegro
Driven minor mode energy with dramatic sequences and harmonic tension.
Movement III - Siciliano
A gentle dance in 6/8 with lilting rhythm and modal character.
Movement IV - Vivace
A brilliant finale balancing minor mode intensity with rhythmic vitality.
Ornamentation Guide
Master the challenging D# trill (raised seventh in E minor).
Add gentle pastoral ornaments appropriate to the siciliano character.
Technical Exercises
Master the scale with F# and D# (raised seventh).
Practice the characteristic lilting 6/8 rhythm.
Work on smooth leading tone resolutions.
Performance Practice Notes
- Minor mode expression: E minor has plaintive, introspective character
- D# fingering: Practice the half-hole or forked fingering until secure
- Siciliano tempo: ♩. = 50, gentle and flowing; avoid rushing
- Dynamics: Use broader dynamic range in minor mode; dramatic contrasts
Historical Context
TWV 40:105 in E minor showcases Telemann's skill at minor mode expression. E minor was associated with plaintive, melancholic affects. The Siciliano movement is particularly notable - this Sicilian pastoral dance in lilting 6/8 time was a Baroque favorite for expressing gentle sadness. The movement between E minor (minor mode) and G Major (relative major) in the Siciliano demonstrates Telemann's sophisticated handling of modal relationships. The D# (raised seventh) provides harmonic tension that resolves to E, a characteristic sound of Baroque minor mode music.
Performance Goal: Convey the expressive depth of E minor throughout this sonata. Master the D# fingering so it appears naturally. The Siciliano should have gentle, pastoral character despite the minor mode. This sonata demonstrates advanced musical maturity and technical facility in minor keys.
Practice Strategy
- Practice E harmonic minor scale daily with emphasis on D# to E resolution
- Isolate all D# passages and work on the fingering slowly
- Record the Siciliano to check for rhythmic evenness and flow
- Study the harmonic structure to understand when D# appears
- Compare different D# fingerings to find the most resonant option
- Listen to recordings of Baroque sicilianos to internalize the style