“Standard” Sonata Rondo

Hepokoski and Darcey

Traditional letter diagram of Sonata Rondo: A B A C A B A.

Hepokoski and Darcey prefer sonata terminology to this kind of letter array, but they use the letter diagram as a segway to their
understanding of sonata rondo. They understand the sonata rondo as a series of rotations, each beginning with A. There are therefore
four rotations in the above letter diagram, each beginning with A.

Rotation 1: AB (expositional space)

Rotation 2: AC (developmental space)
Rotation 3: AB (recapitulatory space)
Rotation 4: A (partial rotation that may conclude with a coda)

Hepokoski and Darcey refer to the A section, traditionally known as the “rondo theme” or “refrain,” as “Prf” (Primary Key Area
Refrain).

For a movement to be understood as a sonata rondo, two requirements must be met.

1. The opening AB must take the form of a sonata form exposition with P, T, MC, and S, usually with C and retransition. The
exposition may also be continuous. The exposition is not repeated. The key plan must match one of the sonata exposition
defaults. P and S may be binary (either simple or rounded).
2. The second AB must be reasonably understandable as a sonata form recapitulation. Typical of any sonata form recap, the
recapitulation returns non-tonic materials to the tonic.

The diagram below lays out the norms of the standard sonata rondo as understood by Hepokoski and Darcey. They note, however,
that in the hands of master composers, the sonata rondo typically produces surprising deviations.
 Hepokoski and Darcey: Sonata Rondo

Rotation 1 Rotation 2 Rotation 3 Rotation 4

Expositional Rotation Developmental Rotation Recapitulatory Rotation Partial Rotation
(Traditional A) +
(Traditional A B) (Traditional A C) (Traditional A B)
Optional Coda

Two-part or continuous exposition
which includes T. EEC is
standard. Tonic is reactivated via
a retransition or closing material
leading to a retransition. The
retransition will employ the V of
the tonic in preparation for
Rotation 2
Reference to Prf, in full or in Recognizable recapitulation Prf, which may be
part, which lead either to a with standard ESC. followed by a coda;
development of expositional Concludes with passage in concludes with a
materials or to a non-tonic the dominant leading to PAC
section, which may be binary; Rotation 4
Tonic is reactivated via a
retransition employing the V of
the tonic in preparation for
Rotation 3