Violin Sonata in D major (attributed to Mozart)

The Violin Sonata in D major (attributed to Mozart) refers to a composition catalogued as a violin sonata and traditionally attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, its authorship is now widely disputed among musicologists and experts.

While included in some complete editions of Mozart's works and often performed and recorded under his name, scholarly consensus leans towards the sonata being either a work of a lesser-known composer from the same period, a youthful work mistakenly attributed to Mozart, or even a forgery. The reasoning behind this reassessment typically involves stylistic inconsistencies when compared to Mozart's authenticated violin sonatas, particularly in terms of harmonic language, melodic construction, and the overall sophistication of the writing. Specific arguments often cite a lack of characteristic Mozartian features, a simpler structure, and a general level of compositional skill that doesn't quite match his known output during the period the sonata is supposed to originate from.

Despite the questions surrounding its provenance, the Violin Sonata in D major (attributed to Mozart) remains a popular piece within the violin and piano repertoire. Its accessible melodic content and relatively modest technical demands make it a favorite for students and amateur musicians. Concert programmers also sometimes include it in recitals, often with a caveat acknowledging the doubts about its authorship. The work generally comprises three movements, following the typical fast-slow-fast pattern of classical sonatas. Because of the uncertainty regarding its true composer, performances and recordings may feature the attribution explicitly as "attributed to Mozart" or list it under "Anonymous."