Sonata form is another predominate form of the Classical period. As with Rondo form a Theme Variations, the Sonata can stand alone as a single piece, or as a movement of a larger work such as a Symphony, Concerto or Instrumental Sonata. A piece in Sonata form has four main sections, in the following order: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation and Coda. Below is a detailed chart of Sonata form with a total explanation for each main section.
Exposition
The exposition consists of two main musical themes.
Theme 1: Tonic Key
Theme 2: Closely Related Key
The exposition ends in the new closely related key.
Development
Themes 1 & 2: Developed in a variation/fantasy approach. By far the most intricate and exciting section of the Sonata.
New Key: Closely related to original tonic.
The exposition often ends in a different key from the original tonic, emphasized by a strong cadence. It always repeated from the beginning before moving on to the development.
Recapitulation
The return to themes I and II from the Exposition.
The recapitulation starts in a closely related key.
Coda
An added developmental section to signify the conclusion of the piece. The Coda always contains major ideas from the main themes and bring the piece back to the original tonic key.
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