This is Mozart's last sonata for violin and piano. The nickname it sometimes carries, "For Beginners," is related to the composer's description of it in those words, and his further comments suggest it should be called a sonata for piano "with violin." In any event, he apparently intended the work to serve pedagogical purposes, as well as musical ones. Its structure is highly unusual, with an opening Rondo marked Andante cantabile, followed by what would be a more normal first movement—an energetic sonata-allegro panel. The finale is unusual too, a theme and variations, with the violin cut out of the fifth variation altogether. The first movement is lovely in its gentle playfulness, the jaunty main theme sounding much more lively than its Andante marking would normally suggest. The piano dominates, though the violin has a major role in introducing the lively second subject and singing its version of the main theme. The more animated central panel features a theme that comes in delightful descending phrases brimming with sunshine and cheer. A more subdued alternate melody offers deft contrast, and the whole movement features many colorful exchanges between the two instruments. The theme and variations finale opens with a lyrical Andante theme whose simplicity and songful charms are irresistible. The variations offer a mixture of the playful and songful, of the lively and lovely. The aforementioned fifth is the most memorable of them all, the piano's dark intimacies captivating the ear.

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