Common Forms of the Classical Period

While not essential to the study of music in the Classical Period, an understanding of the forms and structures can enhance the understanding of the works and how composers created them.

One-Part (Monoform)

Single harmonic movement without division in design by means of conclusive cadences or striking contrasts. Double harmonic movements that comprise the same are single periods. Examples: Through-composed or AA′ (more are to be considered variation forms).

Continuous Binary

Single harmonic movement divided by design. Ex: IX║I

a. simple A║B b. rounded A║BA (or A║BA′) c. balanced A║Ba Part two ends with a transposed restatement of the passage or phrase that ends Part one (A)

Sectional Binary

Double harmonic movement, complete or interrupted. Ex: II║I

a. simple A║B b. rounded A║BA (or A║BA′) c. barform A-A-B (A:║B)

Sectional Ternary

Double harmonic movement; the second section is further contrasted by thematic material or harmony.

Ex: A║BA′ (Harmony II//I), where B bears no relationship or is harmonically contrasting to A.

Full Sectional Ternary

Triple harmonic movement in modular format, i.e. A║B ║ A

Continuous Ternary

Single interrupted harmonic movement divided by design.

Ex: A║BA′ (Harmony IX║I), where B bears no relationship or is harmonically contrasting to A.

Sectional Quarnary

Similar to Sectional Ternary with addition of transposed restatement of second part.

Ex: A-B-A′-B′

Music in the Classical World: Genre, Culture, and History

Sectional Quinary

Similar to Sectional Ternary, with addition of new material as Part four (C) and restatement of Part one.

Ex: A-BA′-CA′ (or A-BA′-B′A′′)

Composite Ternary

Minuet and Trio (Scherzo and Trio)

A (Minuet) :║:B(=trio) :║:A(da capo):║ a: :║:ba′ :║:a :║:ba′ :║ da capo al fine

Variants

Minuet with Two Trios (composite form adds the second trio as a:║ba′

A:║:B(=Trio I):║A(=Minuet without repeats║:C(=Trio II):║A da capo

Rondo Form

Classical Rondo

A [trans] B [retrans] A [trans] C [retrans] A B′ A [coda] I  V  I  (IV,vi  I I I I i, etc.)

Small or Short Rondo

A B A C A (NB: The final B′A section is omitted here!)

Sonata Principle or Sonata Form

Classical/Standard

The basic sonata form is a compound binary type of form with numerous possibilities for variation. The standard formal structure is as follows:

Exposition ║Development Recapitulation P T S K [codetta] D R P T S C [coda] I (V/V) V V (vi,IV,etc) V7 I (V) I I I

Double Exposition Form (Concerto Form)

P1 T1 S1 K1 P2 T2 S2 K2 [Rest like Sonata Form above] I (V) I I I (V/V) V V Ritornello 1 Solo 1

Music in the Classical World: Genre, Culture, and History

Da Capo Aria Forms

Da Capo Aria

A B A (da capo)

a) True Baroque da Capo form (Continuous composite) A Main section IVI (or iIIIi) B Contrasting section usually in IV or vi (also I, III, V, iv) A Da capo al Fine

b) Baroque/Classical opera seria da Capo form (Sectional composite) A Main section IV(vi)I (or iIII(V)i) B Contrasting section IV or vi (also I, III or iv) with change in key signature and/or tempo A Da capo al Fine

c) Dal Segno form A/B Same as a) above A= Truncated return of A

Truncated da Capo Aria

A B A′ (or a′)

A Main section IV (cadence on V) or iIII (cadence on III) B Contrasting Section generally vi, IV, or v with different rhythmic and/or thematic structure A= Return of Main Section but with harmonic structure II (ii)

The following forms can be used for choruses, solos with chorus, etc.

Ritornello Form

Rit1 Episode1 Rit2 Episode2 Rit3 Episode3 Rit4 Episode4 Rit5 I I V V vi vi V V I

Fugue

Exposition1 Episode1 Exposition2 Episode2 Exposition3(with Stretto)