Rondo Form

        Rondos typically have three sections of music, all in different keys.  The first section that is played 
is the "theme" and is labeled "A".  The second and third sections are "episodes" and are labeled "B" and "C".

 
        After the theme an episode is played.  The music must return to the theme before another episode 

can be played.  After the last episode, the A theme is almost always played to end the rondo.  The two most used patterns of rondos in the Classical era are A-B-A-C-A and A-B-A-C-A-B-A.

Château de Chambord

       Video explaining A-B-A-C-A-B-A rondos using the fourth (and final) movement of Beethoven's 

           String Quartet in C minor, Op. 18 No. 4  (play - 4:40)

       Mozart Rondo No. 3 in A minor, K 511 (1787)  Andras Schiff, piano  (play - 9:40)


          A starts at 00:00      (A minor - in ternary A-B-A form)

          B starts at 00:00      (C major)
          A (again) at 03:53   (A minor, again)
          C starts at 04:20      (A major)

          A (again) at 06:46   (A minor, again)
          B (again) at 00:00   (C major, again)
          A (again) at 00:00    (A minor, again)


       Mozart composed this work on the death of a friend.  It has an overall sense of melancholy and 

       sadness.  Occasionally it brightens up for a brief while, but then slides back, even touching on 

       some profound grief and tragedy.

       The piece is introspective and private, while exuding a thoughtful, measured elegance throughout.   
        It is touching and beautiful, simple and perfect. 

        The Rondo theme is a pensive melody which looks forward to Chopin.


       The work follows the common A-B-A-C-A pattern characteristic of the rondo form.

       Notice the chromatic passages between segments!  (Online Piano)

      Forms within forms:  Imbedded sub-forms