Music Literature
Music Lit
Essay Questions
8 December 2012
1. The multi-movement cycle is when one piece comprises three or four movements
For example, the classical era symphony, sonata, string quartet, and concerto all follow this cycle. THe Sonata-allegro form is a structural pattern used by composers first in the 18th century as a means to organize their music. Some people like to compare it to a basic essay format which has in introduction with a thesis, supporting body paragraphs, and conclusion that restates the thesis, sonata-allegro form organizes music through an initial statement, development of themes and a recapitulation of the original material. While the origins are much older, sonata-allegro form grew to prominence as a defining characteristic of the Classical style as used by Haydn and Mozart and then further developed by Beethoven. First movement is in a quick tempo. It is based on premise that the piece begins in tonic key, departs, then returns and each key area is associated with a theme. Then the Exposition comes in and it is the opening section of the sonata-allegro form. It presents two opposing keys and their themes. Theme I is in the tonic. The Bridge is the transitional passage that modulates to contrasting key. Theme II is in a contrasting key. And finally the closing section, which rounds off exposition in a contrasting key. In 18th-century sonata-allegro form, the exposition is repeated. The Development, is second section of the sonata-allegro form. It is filled with musical conflict and action, frequent modulations, tensions and thematic development, breaking up of theme into motives. The Recapitulation is a restatement of the tonic key. Restatement of tonic key is a welcome relief following the tense development. The bridge Theme II, in the tonic, and then the closing section. In most cases, there is also a coda, which is the last section of the sonata-allegro form which closes the entire movement. It is common when people listen to
Essay Questions
8 December 2012
1. The multi-movement cycle is when one piece comprises three or four movements
For example, the classical era symphony, sonata, string quartet, and concerto all follow this cycle. THe Sonata-allegro form is a structural pattern used by composers first in the 18th century as a means to organize their music. Some people like to compare it to a basic essay format which has in introduction with a thesis, supporting body paragraphs, and conclusion that restates the thesis, sonata-allegro form organizes music through an initial statement, development of themes and a recapitulation of the original material. While the origins are much older, sonata-allegro form grew to prominence as a defining characteristic of the Classical style as used by Haydn and Mozart and then further developed by Beethoven. First movement is in a quick tempo. It is based on premise that the piece begins in tonic key, departs, then returns and each key area is associated with a theme. Then the Exposition comes in and it is the opening section of the sonata-allegro form. It presents two opposing keys and their themes. Theme I is in the tonic. The Bridge is the transitional passage that modulates to contrasting key. Theme II is in a contrasting key. And finally the closing section, which rounds off exposition in a contrasting key. In 18th-century sonata-allegro form, the exposition is repeated. The Development, is second section of the sonata-allegro form. It is filled with musical conflict and action, frequent modulations, tensions and thematic development, breaking up of theme into motives. The Recapitulation is a restatement of the tonic key. Restatement of tonic key is a welcome relief following the tense development. The bridge Theme II, in the tonic, and then the closing section. In most cases, there is also a coda, which is the last section of the sonata-allegro form which closes the entire movement. It is common when people listen to