Chapter 12: The Symphony Sonata Form
Key Terms Sonata form Slow introduction (optional) Exposition Development Recapitulation Coda (optional)
Key Terms Exposition First theme Bridge (transition) Second Group Second theme Cadence (closing) theme
Key Terms Development Fragmentation Retransition
Sonata Form Most important new form of Classical era Evolved from binary form Dramatic new way of handling contrasts between keys (tonalities) and themes Three large sections: Exposition Development Recapitulation
Exposition (A) Establishes conflict between two primary keys Presents (exposes) main themes of movement
Exposition (A)
Development (B)
Recapitulation (A’) Resolves tension created in Exposition and heightened in Development Returns to original key Presents Exposition themes in same order, but with Second Group in original key, thus Recapitulation is more stable than Exposition
Recapitulation (A’)
Optional Sections Slow Introduction Slow tempo section added before the Exposition Often in minor key and very unstable Builds tension that is resolved by First Theme of Exposition
Optional Sections Coda Concluding section that follows Recapitulation May be short or long Usually very stable, with repeated cadences and big ending
Sonata Form Example: Haydn Haydn, Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, I