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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