The Classical Rondo

Ritornello with Attitude

General Remarks

Rondo as a form existed in the Baroque, usually spelled Rondeau. The idea here was a simple musical form based on a thematic return: ABACA. Usually the contrasting sections would feature different dynamics, length, and mode. The Classical composers took over the Rondo (using the Italian spelling rather than the French), and made the form much more complex. The main theme of the Rondo, in particular, was given much greater weight and importance.

Diagram: ABACA

• Main Tune: often |: a :| |: b a’ :|

• In simple rondos, contrasting sections are usually short and transitional

• “C” can act as a contrasting section

Differences from Ritornello

• Rondo usually brings back complete tunes instead of fragments.

• Rondo’s return to ‘A’ is always in the tonic key—that’s the “return” part of the word “Rondo”

MozartSonata in B-flat Major K. 570

• Basic form: ABCA

• (ABACA without the middle ‘A’)

• Each section is |: x :|: y x’ :|

• The main reprise “A” has no repeats, but the other sections (B and C) do have repeats

a b

c c d d

A

B

a

c c1 1

e e f f

C

e e1 1

a

A

Coda

transition

transition