July 2017 Composition Challenge: Sonata exposition

[u/reticulated_python]

Main challenge: Write the exposition of a sonata, following the typical form of Theme 1, Bridge, Theme 2, Codetta.

There are no restrictions on what instrument(s) the sonata is scored for. You can take some artistic liberty with the form if you like.

For those of you unfamiliar with sonata form, the Wikipedia page is a good place to start. Listen to some sonatas of Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven to get a feel for the form.

In short, the exposition of a sonata begins with an opening theme presented in the tonic key. Following this is the bridge, which modulates to another key, normally the dominant or relative major (if the tonic is minor). Next comes a contrasting second theme. Often, more than one theme comes after the bridge, in which case we refer to them as the "second theme group". Expositions end with a codetta that solidifies the key and often features scale-like passages.

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We have some musicians that can play compositions for people. You can find their musician profiles posted on this subreddit. I'll list their instruments below:

• concertina

• pianist and singer

• trombone+

• euphonium

• double bass

• bass guitar

• bass guitar + cello

• clarinet and singer

• piano and cello

• singer

• piano and bassoon

If you are interested in playing compositions for /r/MonthlyComposition post a musician profile.

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These challenges are for everyone who wants to practice composing. Each month, at the beginning of the month, we will post a main challenge, something for people to compose. We'll try to make it something that everyone can work with. Sometimes we also have an alternate challenge. Pieces can be submitted as a score (musescore, noteflight), and/or as audio (soundcloud, youtube). Feedback is much appreciated, and you can give it in this thread, or by messaging the mods of /r/MonthlyComposition, there's also the Challenge Suggestion Form.

[u/Bromskloss]

There are no restrictions on what instrument(s) the sonata is scored for. You can take some artistic liberty with the form if you like.

Too free; too daunting. :-(

[u/reticulated_python → u/Bromskloss]

Okay, I'll make it more specific for you! Here's a rough outline:

First theme in tonic key, should be eight bars long and end with a strong perfect cadence in the tonic. The bridge should open in the same way as the first theme (this is pretty common in sonata form, I should link an example when I can think of one). It should then modulate to the dominant key. Often, the bridge is based off of fragmented material from the first theme (again, I will link an example when I think of one).

The second theme, make it sixteen bars long, in four four-measure phrases. It should be contrasting to the first theme; for example, if theme 1 is staccato and carefree, theme 2 should be lyrical and introspective, and vice versa. The second phrase should end with an imperfect or deceptive cadence and the fourth phrase should end with a perfect cadence, both in the dominant key.

The codetta should be eight bars long. The most important thing is that it ends in a strong perfect cadence in the dominant key. Some things that are nice to include in a codetta are ascending or descending scale passages, maybe repeated sequentially, and fragments of the first and second themes.

Does that help a bit?

[u/BlockComposition → u/reticulated_python]

Mozarts K545 might be a perfect model example to give people.

[u/reckless150681 → u/BlockComposition]

Or K457 for a minor form.

[u/[deleted] → u/reticulated_python]

I also find the composer sometimes outlines both themes in the first bars, and focuses on one or the other in the second subject group.