a.

Exposition only: the Essential Expositional Trajectory (to the EEC)

PAC final
MC EEC cadence

Continuation modules
(series of energy-gaining modules)
’
TR S C
Energy-gain + Relaunch Postcadential Appendix or
Acceptance of P set of “accessory ideas”
New key May be multisectional (C1, C2, etc.)
Often forte Usually piano and of varying lengths. Usually forte
or gaining in rhetorical force.
P
Often lyrical, etc.
Either modulatory or
nonmodulatory
Launch

Proposes the main

idea for the sonata
in V
(or, if P was in minor, in III or in v)
Tonic key Nontonic key
Exposition, Part 1 Exposition, Part 2

b. The entire structure: the Essential Sonata Trajectory (to the ESC)

final
MC EEC cadence interruption

’
Development
TR S C Often P- or TR-dominated
MC ESC
final
cadence
Perhaps rotational ’
Coda
P P TR S C
Restart Tonal resolution

Often recomposed
(emph. IV?)
V
I V or III as chord I I I
Exposition Development Recapitulation
One central mission: laying out the S, as agent, carries out the central
strategy for the eventual attainment of generic task of the sonata—securing
the ESC: a structure of promise. the ESC: a structure of accomplishment.

Figure 2.1 The Generic Layout of Sonata Form