1. Chapter 14: Classical Forms: Ternary and Sonata-Allegro

2. Ternary Form (ABA) Statement – Contrast – Repetition
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Figure A ball at the Redoutensaal (dancing hall) in the emperor’s palace in Vienna, c Mozart, Haydn, and, later, Beethoven composed minuets and “German dances” for these events, which sometimes attracted nearly 4,000 fee-paying dancers. The orchestra can be seen in the gallery to the left. The Redoutensaal still provides a venue for concerts and balls today.

3. Minuet and Trio in Ternary Form
Minuet: Stately dance in triple meter
Originally a popular dance in the Baroque Era
Became “Listening Music” in the Classical Era
Trio: serves as a contrasting (B) section
Originally only played by three instruments
Figure 14.2 Couples in the late eighteenth century dancing the stately minuet. In some areas of Europe at this time, women were forbidden to dance the minuet because it was thought to involve excessive body contact!

4. Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart (1787)
Serenade: a light, multimovement piece for strings or small orchestra
Movement III: Minuetto (pg. 167)

5. Sonata-Allegro Form Four Movement Form Movement 1 2 3 4 Form
ABA, Theme and Variations, or Rondo
Minuet in Trio (ABA)
Sonata-allegro, Theme and Variations, or Rondo
Mood
Serious and substantive despite fast tempo
Lyrical and tender
Usually light and elegant, sometimes spirited
Bright, lighthearted, sometimes humorous
Tempo
Fast
Slow
Lively

6. The Shape of Sonata-Allegro Form
Drama and conflict within a single movement
Three major sections:
Exposition: Presents thematic material
Opposition and blending of contrasting themes
Development: Thematic material from exposition is developed
Recapitulation: Themes return in original order
Figure 14.3 Sonata–allegro form

7. Hearing Sonata-Allegro Form
Keep the sonata-allegro diagram in mind
Listen for the four distinctive musical styles in sonata-allegro form
Thematic sections: States the melodies
Transition: Moves the music forward
Development: Expands musical ideas
Concluding passages: Provides closure
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, movement I “Allegro” (p.172)
First theme: aggressive, fanfare-like opening
Second theme: quieter, lighter
Closing theme: cheerful

8. Overture to Don Giovanni by Mozart
Sonata-allegro form
P. 174