Sonata form is a musical structure commonly used in the first movement of multi-movement works, consisting of three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation. The exposition introduces two themes in different keys, the development explores and alters these themes, and the recapitulation restates the exposition themes, with the second theme now in the tonic key. This form is essential for creating contrast, drama, and thematic exploration in classical music compositions.

1. Sonata Form
SONATA FORM OF THE CLASSICAL ERA

2. What is Sonata Form?
-Sonata form is a musical form derived from the binary form, ABA’
-The 3 sections have standard labels…
❑A=Exposition
❑B=Development
❑A’=Recapitulation

3. What is Sonata Form?
-Sonata form is a musical form derived from the binary form, ABA’
-The 3 sections have standard labels…
❑A=Exposition
❑B=Development
❑A’=Recapitulation
-Sonata form usually occurs as the first movement of multi-movement genres such as…
❑Symphonies
❑Piano Quartets
❑String Quartets

4. A Diagram of Sonata Form
Exposition Development Recapitulation

5. A Diagram of Sonata Form
Exposition Development Recapitulation
1st
theme 2nd
theme Can include 1st
theme,
Tonic New Key 2nd
theme, transition
and closing material
Major=I Major=V
Minor=i Minor=III Unstable Key Centers
Transition to new key Closing Material Retransition to tonic Transition in tonic Closing Material
1st theme 2nd
theme
Tonic Tonic
Major=I Major=I
Minor=i Minor=i

6. Let’s break down the individual
sections.
We’ll Begin with the Exposition.

7. The example we’ll be referring to is Beethoven’s
Piano Sonata No.1 in f minor, Op. 2, Allegro.

8. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.

9. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.
-It consists of two themes

10. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.
-It consists of two themes
1) The first theme is in the tonic key
-The first theme is followed by a transition to a new key…

11. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.
-It consists of two themes
1) The first theme is in the tonic key
-The first theme is followed by a transition to a new key…
In major, this key is V.
In minor, this key is III.

12. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.
-It consists of two themes
1) The first theme is in the tonic key
-The first theme is followed by a transition to a new key…
2) The second theme is in the new key we just transitioned to.
-It is followed by closing material that cadences in the new key.
In major, this key is V.
In minor, this key is III.

13. Exposition
The first formal section of sonata form is called the exposition.
-It consists of two themes
1) The first theme is in the tonic key
-The first theme is followed by a transition to a new key…
2) The second theme is in the new key we just transitioned to.
-It is followed by closing material that cadences in the new key.
Let’s take a look at this in context….
In major, this key is V.
In minor, this key is III.

14. Development
The Development is the B section of sonata form.
•Some Characteristics of the Development are…

15. Development
The Development is the B section of sonata form.
•Some Characteristics of the Development are…
❑Reuse of thematic material from the exposition.
❖ This can include the 1st
theme, 2nd
theme, transitional material and closing material
❖ The material may be altered in some way. This can include rhythmic augmentation and diminution,
motivic inversion and retrograding, truncation etc.

16. Development
The Development is the B section of sonata form.
•Some Characteristics of the Development are…
❑Reuse of thematic material from the exposition.
❖ This can include the 1st
theme, 2nd
theme, transitional material and closing material
❖ The material may be altered in some way. This can include rhythmic augmentation and diminution,
motivic inversion and retrograding, truncation etc.
❑Unstable key centers
❑A retransition back to tonic at the close of the section
❖ Often dramatized by a prolongation of the dominant area

17. What is the purpose of the
development?
WHY DO COMPOSERS USE UNSTABLE KEY CENTERS?
WHY DO COMPOSERS MORPH THEMATIC MATERIAL?

18. The development is why sonata form is so
largely used!
-It makes the music interesting!
-It creates dramatic effect!
-It creates contrast with the exposition!
-It explores and develops motives
introduced in the exposition!

19. Let’s take a look at the development in
context.

20. Recapitulation
-The recapitulation is the final section of sonata form.

21. Recapitulation
-The recapitulation is the final section of sonata form.
•It is very similar to the exposition
• This is why it’s labeled A’
• It follows the same order
• First theme
• Transition
• Second Theme
• Closing Material

22. Recapitulation
-The recapitulation is the final section of sonata form.
•It is very similar to the exposition
• This is why it’s labeled A’
• It follows the same order
• First theme
• Transition
• Second Theme
• Closing Material
However, there is a main difference between the exposition and recapitulation!
•The second theme of the recapitulation is in tonic.

23. Let’s take a look in context.

24. Let’s analyze a movement together!
Haydn’s Sonata No. 34 in E minor, Presto

25. Which movements of Brahms’ Piano
Quartet No. 1 in c minor, Op. 60 are in
sonata form?

26. Which movements of Brahms’ Piano
Quartet No. 1 in c minor, Op. 60 are in
sonata form?
-The first movement

27. Which movements of Brahms’ Piano
Quartet No. 1 in c minor, Op. 60 are in
sonata form?
-The first movement
-The fourth movement
We’ll be discussing these next class!