Sonata Form is a structure which was invented by Haydn and further developed by Mozart
and other composers of the Classical era. Sonata Form is a structure of 3 main sections framed by an Introduction and a Coda. This structure was almost always used in the first
movement of a major piece of music like a sonata, symphony, or concerto.
The Exposition is the first section where the main themes or tunes are presented in 1st and 2nd subject groups (groups of themes). The 1st subject group (2 themes) is usually in the Tonic (Doh) key and the 2nd subject group (2 themes) is in the Dominant (Soh). The function of this section is to introduce the main musical ideas of the movement.
This Piano concerto however, has two expositions, an orchestral exposition and a piano exposition which are similar in content. The exposition usually modulates to the dominant, (soh) in the 2nd subject. The first exposition however stays in the tonic (doh) key, A major. This is because it leads on to the 2nd exposition which starts in A.
The main differences between the 2 expositions are, a) the 2nd exposition modulates to the dominant as expected, b) the 2nd theme (orchestra only) is repeated towards the end of the 2nd exposition, C) The 2nd exposition introduces a new theme, and of course d) the piano features.
The Development is where the composer applies various techniques such as imitation, sequence, modulation, etc. to motives from the main themes. Full themes are not normally heard in the development. Rather, little “snippets” of themes (motif) treated to a series of “tricks” like sequences, canons, modulations, antiphons etc. Unusually, the composer uses the extra theme he introduced at the end of the 2nd exposition as the material to mess around with in the development.
There is a 2nd cadenza between the recap. and the coda.
and other composers of the Classical era. Sonata Form is a structure of 3 main sections framed by an Introduction and a Coda. This structure was almost always used in the first
movement of a major piece of music like a sonata, symphony, or concerto.
The Exposition is the first section where the main themes or tunes are presented in 1st and 2nd subject groups (groups of themes). The 1st subject group (2 themes) is usually in the Tonic (Doh) key and the 2nd subject group (2 themes) is in the Dominant (Soh). The function of this section is to introduce the main musical ideas of the movement.
This Piano concerto however, has two expositions, an orchestral exposition and a piano exposition which are similar in content. The exposition usually modulates to the dominant, (soh) in the 2nd subject. The first exposition however stays in the tonic (doh) key, A major. This is because it leads on to the 2nd exposition which starts in A.
The main differences between the 2 expositions are, a) the 2nd exposition modulates to the dominant as expected, b) the 2nd theme (orchestra only) is repeated towards the end of the 2nd exposition, C) The 2nd exposition introduces a new theme, and of course d) the piano features.
The Development is where the composer applies various techniques such as imitation, sequence, modulation, etc. to motives from the main themes. Full themes are not normally heard in the development. Rather, little “snippets” of themes (motif) treated to a series of “tricks” like sequences, canons, modulations, antiphons etc. Unusually, the composer uses the extra theme he introduced at the end of the 2nd exposition as the material to mess around with in the development.
There is a 2nd cadenza between the recap. and the coda.
The Recapitulation is a repeat of the Exposition, but this time in the Tonic key, A major. All linking sections can be called bridge passages. A Coda is a tail piece at
the end of the movement. A Codetta is a tail piece at the end of a section.
the end of the movement. A Codetta is a tail piece at the end of a section.
1st movement section by section
Orchestral exposition (Introduction)
Themes a,b,c and d in that order all in the tonic (doh) key, A major.
Listen to excellent examples of an Imperfect cadence at 54",
an interrupted cadence at 1'36",
a chromatic scale at 1'42"
and a perfect cadence at 1'55" and 2'05"
Themes a,b,c and d in that order all in the tonic (doh) key, A major.
Listen to excellent examples of an Imperfect cadence at 54",
an interrupted cadence at 1'36",
a chromatic scale at 1'42"
and a perfect cadence at 1'55" and 2'05"
Piano exposition
Begins with theme a on solo piano with Alberti bass accompaniment. notice how themes are developed with scales and ornamentation on repeats.
Theme b is never played by the piano and is repeated before a 2 beat rest leading on to theme c and d the 2nd subject. These themes are in the dominant key of E (with D#s) as expected.
Then, after an imperfect cadence there is an unexpected theme e, a new theme in a very unexpected key of E minor, the dominant minor.
Begins with theme a on solo piano with Alberti bass accompaniment. notice how themes are developed with scales and ornamentation on repeats.
Theme b is never played by the piano and is repeated before a 2 beat rest leading on to theme c and d the 2nd subject. These themes are in the dominant key of E (with D#s) as expected.
Then, after an imperfect cadence there is an unexpected theme e, a new theme in a very unexpected key of E minor, the dominant minor.
Development
The new theme (e) is used in the development.
Antiphon between woodwind and piano + strings, using a short motif from theme E.
Sequences of the same material in different keys. Inversion of the start of this
motif. Canon between clarinet and flute using the same material which is extended and runs into the cadenza ("show off") solo piano link that closes the development.
The new theme (e) is used in the development.
Antiphon between woodwind and piano + strings, using a short motif from theme E.
Sequences of the same material in different keys. Inversion of the start of this
motif. Canon between clarinet and flute using the same material which is extended and runs into the cadenza ("show off") solo piano link that closes the development.
Recapitulation
All the material from the exposition is repeated but there differences in order. Now the key is A major, the tonic.
All the material from the exposition is repeated but there differences in order. Now the key is A major, the tonic.
Cadenza and coda