Chapter 12:The Symphony

Sonata Form

Key Terms

Sonata formSlow introduction (optional)

Exposition

Development

Recapitulation

Coda (optional)

Key Terms

ExpositionFirst theme

Bridge (transition)

Second Group•Second theme•Cadence (closing) theme

Key Terms

DevelopmentFragmentation

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

Main themes articulate tonal structure

We’ll use Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, 1st movement, as an example

Exposition (A) (1)

First theme•Stable theme in tonic key

Bridge•Unstable, modulates to new key

Exposition (A) (2)

Second GroupSecond Theme•Stable theme in new key

Cadence Theme•Closing theme with repeated cadences

Exposition (A) (3)

Development (B) (1)

Unstable section heightens tension

Modulates to many different keys

Develops themesTakes themes from Exposition, breaks them up, & extends, recombines, & reorchestrates them

Development (B) (2)

RetransitionFinal passage that prepares for return of first key

Development (B) (3)

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 IntroductionSlow tempo section added before the Exposition

Often in minor key and very unstable

Builds tension that is resolved by First Theme of Exposition

(No slow introduction in Mozart’s Symphony No. 40)

Optional Sections

CodaConcluding section that follows Recapitulation

May be short or long

Usually very stable, with repeated cadences and big ending

Sonata Form Example: Mozart

Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, I

Sonata Form Example: Haydn

Haydn, Symphony No. 95 in C Minor, I