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INTRODUCTION
The introduction may or
may not be present in a composition in Sonata Allegro Form.
When present, the introduction is usually slow in tempo, and contains thematic material
which in some way may serve to introduce (or become one of )the themes of the Exposition.
In some cases, the introduction contains its own theme(s) which the composer may draw upon
during the movement, or in cases of large, cyclical works, the composer may refer to
introductory themes in later movements of the total opus.
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EXPOSITION
The Exposition's
purpose is to present (expose) the themes of the work to the listener. In traditional
Sonata Allegro Form the Exposition is structured as follows:
I. Theme 1: Usually allegro or of a quick tempo.
II. Bridge: The bridge serves the important role of modulating, bringing the music
to a new key area. The bridge may contain its own theme, or a variation of Theme 1.
III. Theme 2: Usually slower, more lyrical (singable quality) which contrasts with
Theme 1. It will be in a new key, usually IV, V, vi or other related keys to the tonic.
IV. Codetta: The codetta, or "little tail" of the exposition may be
referred to as the Closing Theme (in some cases) as it may contain its own
thematic elements. It's purpose is to round out the Exposition and draw it to a close.
In many cases, particularly in compositions of the Classical and Early Romantic Period,
the Exposition is
REPEATED.
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DEVELOPMENT
In the Development, any
themes of the Introduction or the Exposition are developed, or altered using a variety of
compositional techniques. The development is often considered to be the most exciting part
of a sonata form composition, as themes undergo rapid changes in both structure and key.
The following are typical devices used to develop thematic material:
Augmentation, Diminution, Truncation, Fragmentation, Mutation, Retrogression, Inversion,
Retrograde-Inversion, Changes in key or mode, Rhythmic variations.
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RECAPITUALTION
To recapitulate means
to restate, and that is what this section does. It's purpose is to bring back the thematic
material of the Exposition in its original form after it has undergone the variants of the
Development. As such, it mirrors the Exposition, with some notable changes.
I. Theme 1: Reintroduced in a form imitating or similar to the Exposition, it is
attacked directly from the Development in most cases.
II. Bridge: While the bridge's thematic material is similar to that in the
Exposition, this time, in traditional sonata form, it does not modulate, so there
often are noticeable changes.
III. Theme 2: Again, somewhat mirrored from the Exposition, the important
difference is that, in traditional Sonata Allegro form, theme 2 will be presented in
the tonic key.
IV. Coda or Closing Theme: Like the Codetta in the Exposition, the Coda serves
to round off this section, but in addition will bring the entire composition to a close
and may be of considerable length, possibly drawing thematic elements from other movements
of a larger work.
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