1. Classical Music
Sonata Form

2. Sonata Form describes the structure of a piece of music.
It is so called because most Classical sonatas were constructed in this form
The 1st movement of most Classical symphonies and concertos would also be written in sonata form.
At its most basic, a piece in sonata form can be divided into three main sections:
Exposition
Development
Recapitulation

3. Exposition
This is where the main themes (subjects) of the piece are introduced.
1st Subject
2nd Subject
Bridge
Modulates
In a new key
In tonic/home key

4. Development
This is where the composer develops, or plays about with a small phrase or section from the Exposition.
The music will modulate, moving through a variety of keys.
Eventually, these modulations will return the key to the original tonic.

5. Recapitulation
This is just a fancy word for ‘repeating’. The composer repeats the main themes from the Exposition.
However, the bridge passage is altered so that it no longer modulates, but remains in the home key.
The second subject also remains in the home key.

6. CODA
This is a short section at the end of the movement to finish it off.
It will probably feature lots of perfect cadences (V-I) just to make a point!