sonata form


noun
  1. a musical form comprising an exposition, in which the main theme or themes are stated, a development section, a recapitulation of the material in the exposition, and, usually, a coda.

Origin of sonata form

1
First recorded in 1870–75

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How to use sonata form in a sentence

  • This work consists of one movement (Allegro) in sonata-form.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • It is important to distinguish between sonata and sonata-form.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • Sonata-form, as will be shown later on, has been evolved from old binary form.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • The sonata-form of the first movement in each case may have suggested the title.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • The first movement is an allegro in sonata form, kept within narrow limits, the second is a simple romanza, followed by the rondo.

British Dictionary definitions for sonata form

sonata form

noun
  1. a musical structure consisting of an expanded ternary form whose three sections (exposition, development, and recapitulation), followed by a coda, are characteristic of the first movement in a sonata, symphony, string quartet, concerto, etc

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