We examine the Development section of the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Sonata in D major, K284. In the space of 20 bars Mozart packs in a mobile and clever series of modulations while he explores a small number of musical ideas to...

The Mannheim school of composers, led by Stamitz, steered significant musical developments during the second half of the eighteenth century. This music history lesson explains some of their most significant innovations and explains the...

Does it get any better than Mozart? This composer insights lesson explores the first movement of Mozart’s K545 Sonata in C. The simple phrase structure and melodic design are unpacked in the context of the overall Sonata Form. Triadic...

Volumes of Dissertations have been written on the topic; and while it is endlessly nuanced, it doesn't have to be hard to understand the basics. Today, we're looking at the exposition, development, and recapitulation of Sonata-Allegro Form.

An overview of Beethoven's Pathetique Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13. This music analysis video provides a simple examination of the work. Through this study one begins to understand the structure and musical language of a famous piece, and...

We continue our "Building Music" series, looking at how composers construct music. Today we look at how motifs, phrases, and periods, and themes are used to create full musical forms. Music Examples: Bach - French Suite in E major, BWV...