Sonata Allegro Form

Developed in instrumental music of Classical Era.

Was used in first movements of:

Symphony Concerto Sonata Quartet

Structure:

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Exposition:

Slow introduction (optional) First theme (or theme group) and its expansion

in tonic Bridge – modulates to a contrasting key Second theme (or theme group) and its

expansion in contrasting key Closing theme, cadence in contrasting key Exposition repeated

First theme or theme group establishes a home key (tonic).

W. A. Mozart, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”,K 525, First Movement: Allegro

Theme 1

Theme 2

Theme 3

Bridge – transition between first and second groups.Modulates to a contrasting key

Second theme or group of themes in contrast key.

Theme 4.

Theme 5.

Theme 6 (closing theme).

Development.

Builds up tension against the return to tonic by: Frequent modulation to foreign keys, andFragmentation and manipulation of themes

and motives. Transition back to tonic.

Recapitulation

First theme (or theme group) and its expansion in tonic

Bridge (rarely modulates) Second theme (or theme group) and its

expansion transposed to tonic Closing theme, cadence in tonic Coda; cadence in tonic

Exposition and Recapitulation

Slow introduction (optional) First theme (or theme group)

and its expansion in tonic Bridge – modulates to a

contrasting key Second theme (or theme

group) and its expansion in contrasting key

Closing theme, cadence in contrasting key

Exposition repeated

First theme (or theme group) and its expansion in tonic

Bridge - rarely modulates Second theme (or theme

group) and its expansion transposed to tonic

Closing theme, cadence in tonic

Coda; cadence in tonic.