The 7 Piano Sonatinas, Op. 168 is a set of seven sonatinas for solo piano by Austrian composer Anton Diabelli (1781–1858). It was first published in Vienna in 1839 by Diabelli himself. 

Designed for intermediate-level pianists, the sonatinas have become staples of the pedagogical repertoire because of their clear classical style, accessible difficulty, and charming melodic content. 

Structure

The collection comprises seven individual sonatinas, each in three movements (typically a moderate first movement, a slower middle movement, and a final rondo or allegro). 

The keys and movement outlines are:

1. Sonatina No. 1 in F major – I. Moderato cantabile; II. Andante cantabile; III. Rondo Allegretto. 

2. Sonatina No. 2 in G major – I. Allegro moderato; II. Andante sostenuto; III. Rondo Allegretto. 

3. Sonatina No. 3 in C major – I. Allegro moderato; II. Andantino; III. Rondo Allegro. 

4. Sonatina No. 4 in B♭ major – I. Allegro moderato; II. Andantino; III. Rondo Allegro. 

5. Sonatina No. 5 in D major – I. Tempo de Marcia; II. Marcia funebre (Andante maestoso); III. Rondo militare Allegro. 

6. Sonatina No. 6 in G major – I. Allegro moderato; II. Andante cantabile; III. Rondo Allegro. 

7. Sonatina No. 7 in A minor – I. Allegro moderato; II. Andante cantabile; III. Rondo Allegretto. 

Historical and pedagogical context

Diabelli is perhaps most famous for his role as a music-publisher (and for the waltz theme that inspired Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations). His sonatinas Op. 168, though not as ambitious as major sonatas of the era, served a valuable educational purpose. They align in difficulty and purpose with works like Six Sonatinas, Op. 36 by Muzio Clementi, and they remain widely used for student concerto preparation and intermediate recital programmes. 

Their melodic clarity, transparent classical form, and moderate technical demands make them ideal for pianists transitioning from elementary studies to more advanced repertoire.