STRUCTURE of the SONATA FORM

When talking about classical and academic music, surely, you have ever heard the words concert, serenade, nocturnal and sonata mentioned, among other concepts. If you have ever wondered what some of these concepts mean, this lesson from a TEACHER may surely be useful to you, as we will talk about the sonata form structure, a form of composition that has persisted for centuries. So, if you want to learn all the basics about sonatas, continue reading this article, in the that we explain from what they are and what their structure is like, to some examples of composers of sonatas.

Index

1. What is a musical form
2. What is the sonata
3. Musical structure of the sonata
4. Examples of sonata composers

Before knowing what the sonata is, it is important to understand this concept before: What is a musical form? For shape we understand a structure, accompanied by elements that allow us to classify a musical work. These factors are the metric, harmony, intention or motive, tempo, the type of melodies or counterpoint and the parts of the work, among others. It is thanks to the combination of these characteristics that we can know what type of work a composition is and how to categorize it. The musical forms are many and varied, but these are some: concert, study, giga, rhapsody, scherzo, symphony, suite, waltz, nocturnal, serenade, minuet, fantasy, prelude, fugue and aria.

We recommend reading this other lesson from a TEACHER to delve into What is the musical form and its characteristics.

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The sonata arises along with the establishment of many musical structures during Baroque, and since then it has been developing and branching out in variations according to the time. The sonata is a musical form that endures nowadays within the academic context.

If we are based on the classical model, the sonata is a complete piece with movements (parts that are developed within a musical work). These parts vary in quantity but are usually 4 and is written for a reduced training of 3 instruments, like a camera group. The sonata usually presents two contrasting themes or motifs, with which a game and development will be given. Sonatas can also be part of other types of more complex forms such as symphonies or concerts and there is also a variation in smaller pieces, called sonatin.

The sonata has always been a popular form in the field of classical music and various composers They have written works in this way, among which are:

• Domenico Scarlatti.
• Franz Schubert.
• Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• Ludwig van Beethoven.
• Franz Liszt.
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
• Sergei Rachmaninoff.
• Chopin.
• Claude Debussy.
• Maurice Ravel.
• Robert Schumann.
• Johannes Brahms.

Here is a video so you can listen to the world famous Ludwig van Beethoven sonata: Moonlight sonata or Moonlight. In addition, we recommend that you read these other lessons on the Baroque musical forms Y What is a musical sonata.

As we mentioned, the structure of the sonata may vary depending on the era. The official sonata arises with the composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Friedrich Händel who, during classicism, provide it with a certain structure. This base was changing but in general terms we can say that the sonata is made up of 4 movements, of which the first the most complex.

First move

Its titled Allegro, is the most complex movement of the 4, since it is in turn composed of 3 parts:

1. Exposition: the main motifs or themes of the work are introduced. The first theme is in a base tonality and in contrast the second theme uses some neighboring tonality. To make the transition between one and the other, the themes are connected through the melody.
2. Developing: It has to be free in structure but is always faithful to the established themes. Play with them by creating variations and transforming them. This part of the sonata is usually the point of greatest tension or excitement, creating harmonic instability.
3. Recap or restatement: the main themes of the exposition of the sonata regain presence and return in turn to the main key.

Second movement

Of much less accelerated tempo, in andante, adagio or long. Allows you to create contrast between the first and third movements.

Third movement

The third movement of the structure of the sonata form, uses structures for dance, these are usually the minuet or scherzo.

Fourth movement

Finally, the fourth movement of the structure of the sonata form is the one that closes again as it has started with another allegro, this being of less complexity. It is combined with the rondo.

We detail you some times composers of exemplary sonatas so that you can look for his sonatas and have a better approach to this musical form.

• Baroque period: Johann Sebastian Bach, George Friedrich Händel and Domenico Scarlatti.
• Classical period: Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Muzio Clementi.
• Romantic period: Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Robert Schumann, Piotr Tchaikovsky, Edward Elgar, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Johannes Brams, and Felix Mendelsshon.
• Twentieth century: Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, Dimitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Bela Bartok, Aaron Copland, and Benjamin Britten.

Now that you know more about the sonata form structure, you can listen to the examples to gain a better understanding and identify its parts while you delight in wonderful masterpieces. If you are curious, you can investigate more about other musical forms to be able to contrast with the sonata. If you liked this lesson from a TEACHER, we encourage you to read these others to delve deeper into the subject: Baroque Composers and the Characteristics of Baroque music.

If you want to read more articles similar to Structure of the sonata form, we recommend that you enter our category of Musical language.