2.2.2

Structure & Melody

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Structure

The first movement of the Sonata is written in sonata form which is a Classical structure.

Sonata form

Sonata form

  • The first movement of the Sonata is written in sonata form which is a Classical structure.
  • This includes the exposition (First Section), development (Second Section) and recapitulation (Re-cap of the Exposition) sections.
10 bar introduction

10 bar introduction

  • Beethoven (being the rebel he was!), also added a 10 bar introduction, 4 bars of which also reappear at the start of the development section and the coda (ending).
Repetition

Repetition

  • Sonata form was all about repetition of the musical ideas (subjects) and contrast with this mainly taking place during the development section.
  • The main ideas are then re-capped during the recapitulation section.

Melody

Here the melody is decorated and lyrical.

Melodic features

Melodic features

  • Within this set work there are:
    • Heavy accented chords.
    • A florid melody with the left hand.
    • Conjunct (moving in steps) movement (b14).
    • Disjunct (moving in leaps) movement (b56).
Florid melody

Florid melody

  • Florid melody means flowery or ornate.
  • Here the melody is decorated and lyrical.
Chromaticism and dissonance

Chromaticism and dissonance

  • Chromaticism (moving up or down in semitones) and dissonance (clashing notes) is also used to heighten the tension and highlight the idea of suffering.
Bass

Bass

  • There is also a murky bass which is heard in the repeating and alternating octaves in the bass line during the exposition section.
Jump to other topics
1

Musical Elements

1.1

Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch1.1.2Melodic Devices1.1.3Harmonic Pitch1.1.4Harmonic Devices1.1.5Harmonic Progressions
1.2

Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements
2

Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major2.1.2Structure & Melody2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture2.1.4Harmony2.1.5Wider Listening
2.2

Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 82.2.2Structure & Melody2.2.3Other Features2.2.4Wider Listening2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820
3

Vocal Music

3.1

Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While3.1.2Other Features3.1.3Wider Listening
3.2

Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen3.2.2Other Features3.2.3Wider Listening3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music
4

Music for Stage & Screen

4.1

Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity4.1.2Other Features4.1.3Wider Listening4.1.4End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity
4.2

Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope4.2.2Structure & Melody4.2.3Other Features4.2.4Wider Listening4.2.5End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV
5

Fusions

5.1

Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release5.1.2Other Features5.1.3Wider Listening
5.2

Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio5.2.2Structure & Melody5.2.3Other Features5.2.4Wider Listening5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

Practice questions on Structure & Melody

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Parts of music: Put in order
  2. 2
    How many bars long is the introduction to Sonata ‘Pathétique’?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Melodic features in the set work:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Which of these melodic devices is used in Sonata ‘Pathétique’ to heighten the tension and highlight the idea of suffering?Multiple choice
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Piano Sonata No. 8

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