The Development Or Middle Division


The second division of the

sonata-allegro form is devoted to a more or less extensive and

elaborate manipulation and combination of such figures, motives,

phrases or Parts of the Exposition as prove inviting and convenient for

the purpose, or challenge the imaginative faculty of the composer. In

this division, opportunity is provided for the exhibition of technical

skill, imagination and emotional passion; for the cre
tion of ingenious

contrasts and climaxes, and, in a word, for the development of

unexpected resources not strikingly manifest in the more sober

presentation of the thematic factors during the Exposition. The

intermingling of new material is naturally also involved in the

process of development; sometimes to such an extent that the new

predominates over the old,--in which case the middle Division is more

properly called an EPISODE.



This second Division of the sonata-allegro form (the Development or

Episode) corresponds precisely, as will be recognized, to the second

Part of the Three-Part Song-form; consequently, it represents the

departure (see page 90), and entails, in rational form, the

significant return to the beginning. Further, it matches to some

degree the digression in the rondo-forms. At all events, its

important structural function is to establish contrast; and the

necessity for corroboration of the leading thematic ideas--in

consequence of this contrast--is satisfied in the Division which

succeeds.



It is sometimes possible to mark the exact point where the Development

ends and the process of re-transition commences; but usually the return

to the beginning is accomplished so gradually that no sensible

interruption occurs.



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