recapitulation

formree-kah-pit-yoo-LAY-shunfrom English

The section in sonata form where the exposition themes return, usually in the home key.‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌

In Depth

The recapitulation is the third major section of sonata form, where the themes from the exposition r‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌eturn — but now both themes are presented in the home key, resolving the tonal tension created by the exposition's modulation to a secondary key. The recapitulation provides a sense of return and resolution, like arriving home after a journey. Composers often make subtle changes in the recap — reorchestrating themes, altering transitions, or adding new details. The moment when the recapitulation begins, with the return of the opening theme in the home key, is often one of the most satisfying moments in a sonata-form movement.

Did you know?

Beethoven sometimes delayed the recapitulation so long that when the main theme finally returns, the effect is almost overwhelming — his Eroica Symphony is a famous example.

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