Sonata Form

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Sonata Form

• The pop song of the Classical Period

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When is Sonata Form used?

• ALL THE TIME!!!!
• First movements of symphonies, string quartets,
  sonatas, concertos, sonatinas, tone poems, and
  other multi-movement works
• Can be used in other movements, as well
• Standard form of the classical music

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What is Sonata Form?

• Sonata form is an outline of a single movement
• Remember that a sonata is a multi-movement piece
  for one to eight instruments
• Sonata form has three to four sections, each with
  its own outline and purpose

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Section one Exposition

• Sets up contrasts between the tonic and dominant,
  and between the fist and second theme
• Outline of Exposition
• First theme in tonic
• Transition or bridge
• Second theme in dominant
• Closing section in dominant
• Whole section is repeated (usually)

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Section Two Development

• Thematic Variation
• Themes are broken into smaller motives
• These motives are changed somehow, could be
  through various modulations to other keys,
  changes of mood, dynamics, or texture
• Entire section builds tension that leads to

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Section Three Recapitulation

• Exact same outline as exposition, except that
  everything is in the tonic key
• This creates a release of tension that was built
  up in the exposition and development
• A coda can follow the recap
• Ending section that repeats the themes and
  develops them further. Always in tonic key

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Listening Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550

• Focus on the first movement
• First theme is a repeated three note pattern in a
  minor key
• Accompaniment gives a sense of urgency
• Bridge transitions to the more lyrical second
  theme, which is in the relative major
• Closing section remains in the major key,
  changing the feel of the first theme

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Listening Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550

• Development varies the themes
• Cuts first theme into smaller and smaller notes
• Has movement towards a polyphonic texture
• Shifts between high and low strings
• With the recap staying in the minor key, the
  second theme becomes more touching and sad.