Sonatina in C Major, Op. 151, No. 4, Allegro moderato - Anton Diabelli

I like to make recitals educational. So this time I gave students and families a brief introduction to sonatinas and sonata form. Using the first movement of this Diabelli sonatina, I described the sequence of exposition (main themes introduced, ending on a key away from home), development (one or more themes taken in new directions), and recapitulation (main themes replayed. ending this time in the home key). I even tried singing the three main themes of the piece beforehand, complete with some lyrics I made up. Then, as I played, my daughter Priya used hand signals to show the audience when each tune made an appearance. Not a glitch-free teaching moment, but a delightful musical journey. Thanks, Diabelli!