Question 3
(a) Explain the term Sonata.
(b) (i) identify the sections of the Sonata Allegro form
(ii) Briefly explain each of the sections identified in 3(b)(i)
Observation
This question was popular among the candidates and most of these candidates performed above average. They responded to the question thus:
- Explanation of Sonata
It is an instrumental musical composition in three or four movements. The instrument could be one or more with the keyboard accompaniment. It can also be written, independently, for a keyboard instrument. Each of the movements may be in binary, ternary or rondo form.
- (i) identification of the Sections of the Sonata Allegro form
It consists of three main sections, namely: exposition, development and recapitulation. It is occasionally concluded with coda or codetta.
(ii) Explanation of the sections
- The exposition presents the theme(s) in the tonic key and ends in the dominant or the subdominant.
- The development section takes the themes from the dominant where the exposition ends. The development section is varied in compositional devices (sequences, inversions, extensive modulations, counterpoints, repetitions, imitations, augmentations, diminutions, arpeggiation), introduction of new themes and treatments of motives as well as dynamic trends.