Sonata Form: The Heart of the Classical Style Flashcards
Enlightenment
Scientific thinking applied to social issues.
Baroque era was the time of ___, the age of scientific discovery.
Renaissance.
What are the guiding forces in enlightenment?
Justice and reason.
What innovations in entertainment were there in the Classical era?
- Salon (party/seminar).
- Coffee house (hipster alert).
- Novel (extended stories, entertainment).
- Public concert (music accessible outside the court).
What are the two qualities that made enlightenment in music obvious?
- Natural.
- Pleasing variety.
Rhythm in Classical music:
Varied and flexible between themes and sections.
Dynamics in Classical music:
More markings, gradations.
Orchestra in Classical music:
Woodwinds, brass, and percussion become standard use.
Melody in Classical music.
Easily grasped, singable. Clear beginnings and ends.
Texture in Classical music:
Homophony is rule. Counterpoint is contrast (for development). Continuo is out, improvised rhythm obscures sonority.
The Classical form is all about ___ and thwarting them.
Expectations.
What is the main expectation in Classical music?
Resolution. Tension arises, and must be resolved. Satisfaction of return is a form of resolution.
Clarity is key in Classical music, you must know that the ___ has occurred.
Resolution.
How do Classical composers use distinctiveness to make form clear?
Themes are distinct from transitions. Transitions are less melody, more urgency.
How do Classical composers use repetition to make form clear?
When a theme is introduced, you expect it to be repeated.
How do Classical composers use cadences to make form clear?
Themes are often closed with several clear cadences.
Sonata form is a greatly expanded ___ form.
Ternary.
Sonata form is the musical version of a basic plot – the ___.
Quest.
Three parts of a sonata:
Exposition, development, recapitulation.
Exposition
- Clear statement of themes.
- Establishment of tension. Foreshadowing of greater tension to come.
- Sectional repetition.
How is tension always established in the exposition?
Dramatic modulation to secondary key.
How is tension often established in the exposition?
Contrasting themes.
What is the basic form of the exposition?
Theme 1, bridge (modulation), Theme 2 (in new key).
Exposition always has ___ ___.
Sectional repetition.
Development
- Heightening of tension.
- Frequent modulation to a variety go keys.
- Sequences.
- Thematic fragmentation.
- Polyphonic.
- Ends with retransition.
Retransition
End of development that leads back to recapitulation.
Recapitulation
- Provides the satisfaction of return.
- Themes 1 and 2 are presented again.
- No sectional repetition.
- Theme in secondary key returns in the tonic key. Necessitates changes to bridge.
- Sometimes themes are shortened or varied. As long as sense of return is satisfied.
Coda
Section at end meant to round things off.
Double Exposition
Exposition 1 played by orchestra, theme did not change keys. Exposition 2 played by soloist. Theme 2 is in the secondary key when played by soloist.
