a large form consisting of exposition, development, and recapitulation; sometimes also including an introduction and/or coda

a form made up of an opening section called the exposition, in which major themes are presented; a middle section called the development, in which thematic material undergoes a variety of alterations; and a third section called the recapitulation, in which the material of the exposition is restated

The opening movement of the sonata cycle, consisting of themes that are stated in the first section ( exposition), developed in the second section ( development), and restated in the third section ( recapitulation). Also sonata form or first-movement form. Example: Haydn, String Quartet, Op.76, No.2, fourth movement Real Audio: 28k | 56k | About this album In this example, the first theme (of two principal themes), an exuberant dance tune in D minor, is stated in the exposition, after which the music makes a transition to a new key (F major), in preparation for the second theme.

The opening movement of the sonata cycle, consisting of themes that are stated in the first section ( exposition), developed in the second section ( development), and restated in the third section ( recapitulation). Also sonata form or first-movement form. In this example, the first theme (of two principal themes), an exuberant dance tune in D minor, is stated in the exposition, after which the music makes a transition to a new key (F major, in preparation for the second theme). Example: Haydn, String Quartet, Op. 76, No. 2, fourth movement Real Audio: 28K | 56K | About this album

A musical form that uses the overall design of exposition, development, and recapitulation.