CODA: Inspiration is Everywhere
Case Study: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Be Flexible Within the Form
Classical music includes a structure called the sonata form, which is similar to the presentation form.
A sonata has standard “rules” to follow, yet each sonata sounds unique. Sonatas don’t come across as contrived or formulaic, and we can draw inspiration for our presentations from that.
Structure in the Three-Part Sonata Form
Structure enables listeners to anticipate what comes next. The sonata form has three parts:
- Beginning (exposition): Musical themes are introduced and usually repeated so the listener can identify the central musical idea. It’s important that the listeners thoroughly understand the initial theme, so they can recognize it when it’s modified (creating an identifiable gap between what is and what could be).
- Middle (development): The musical theme is altered and riffed off of. This is the most exciting part of the piece, because the listeners are intrigued by how the composer modifies the central idea. The listeners can hear the tension between what the theme was in the beginning and what it has become during the development. There is an element of surprise.
- End (recapitulation): After the ideas are modified in the development section, the piece transitions back to the original theme. There is a special feeling when that theme is restated after its modification during the development section.
Contrast Keeps Things Interesting
Contrast keeps a presentation interesting. The same is true with music.
- Tonal contrast: Put simply, tonal contrast is key changes. Music has a “home” and that home is the tonic key. The beauty of harmony is that the human ear recognizes when we are away from home and when we are home.
- Dynamic contrast: Dynamic contrast is created when the music alternates between loud and soft. Sometimes the transition is sudden, while other times it is gradual.
- Textural contrast:
a. Polyphony/Monophony—Throughout the piece there is always a clear melodic line. Sometimes all the instruments play the same melody in unison (monophony), and other times one instrument plays the melody while the others complement and accompany the melody (polyphony).
b. Density—The number of notes played per measure determines the density. Sometimes there are only a few notes per measure, while at other times there are many, often being played at the same time.
The foundation for an interesting sonata is that it has contrast in varying layers, similar to a presentation. Just like a great sonata, a great presentation should follow the structure of the presentation form yet be flexible within its constraint. As the composer of your presentation, you need to create dramatic contrast to keep the audience’s interest piqued.
Austrian Composer
Mozart's Sonata Sparkline
Above is my son’s analysis of the structure and contrast in the first movement of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik. You can see the clear structure of the beginning, development/middle, and recapitulation/end. The most important contrast in music is the tonal contrast. Also note how extensive the other two forms of contrast are—contrast is essential.
At the bottom of the sonata sparkline, contrast is represented by color and bar height. Yellow represents musicians playing in unison, blue represents each playing something different, and green is a blend of the two. The height of the bars represents the density of the music. Short bars represent fewer notes per measure (typical of slow music), and longer bars represent more notes per measure (typical of fast music).
Beethoven’s Sonata Sparkline
No two sonatas are alike because great composers know how to work flexibly within the form. For your inspiration, there are sonatas visualized and set to music on this page and the previous.
Working with my son on this visualization was life-changing for me. We had several inspirational and intellectual conversations about the structure of the Sonata Form and contrast in classical music in general. He taught me how to listen to classical music.
By seeing the music, you can hear the music more clearly.
In Summary
Your ideas are potent. A single idea from the human mind can change the world.
You have the opportunity to shape the future through your imagination. Imagining a future where your idea has been implemented will keep you inspired to communicate your idea passionately.
So be flexible, be visionary, and now go rewrite all the rules.
Rule #9
Your imagination can create a reality.
James Cameron
