Structure & Melody
Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 2.2.2
Structure
The first movement of the Sonata is written in sonata form which is a Classical structure.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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 means flowery or ornate.
- Here the melody is decorated and lyrical.
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
- There is also a murky bass which is heard in the repeating and alternating octaves in the bass line during the exposition section.
Test yourself on Structure & Melody
How many bars long is the introduction to Sonata ‘Pathétique’?
Which of these melodic devices is used in Sonata ‘Pathétique’ to heighten the tension and highlight the idea of suffering?