What is a Rondo? (11-8-24)

In Classical music we have forms that are predictable.  Typical forms in classical music include sonata form, minuets and trios, suites or rondo form. That is, we have a structure to the music that divides a piece into sections, and these sections have some predictability. One of these forms is the rondo.  

A famous piece that follows this form is the Beethoven Sonata Opus 49 no. 2 Second Movement:  Tempo di Minuetto.  You can listen to it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCjf0JEt2s

In a rondo there is a main theme that forms the first section which we arbitrarily call the "A section."  The A section is in the "home" key known as the tonic.  This section is followed by a contrasting section which can diverge from the tonic key and present new thematic material and can also change the piece from major to minor or vice versa. This new section with new material is called the "B section."  After this divergent material, we return to the A section to reorient our ear back to the tonic and the second iteration of our main theme.  At times this A section is exactly the same but it can be somewhat modified. In this case we name this section "A-prime (A')."  After our return to our A section, the composer often presents new material again.  There is freedom to have a new key and new thematic material.  This new section we label the "C Section."  This is then followed by revisiting the A section as it was or modified either as the A' or if slightly different again, as A double-prime (A"). 

The composer can continue to alternate between the main theme and divergent material as many times as they feel completes their composition. The challenge here is to appropriately match new thematic material that may contrast from the main theme, but at the same time make the piece coherent.  Transitions from section to section are also important to make smooth returns to the tonic key and setting up the appropriate character between sections.  Finally, to finish a longer piece in rondo form, it is typical to add a "coda" to the end.  This is Italian for "tail" and is exactly that:  the end of the piece. In the example above, Beethoven wrote the second movement of his sonata in rondo form:  A B A C A + coda.

Another famous rondo is also by Beethoven, the solo piano piece called "Fur Elise."  This piece is in A minor, but has new sections in F Major and A minor.  You can listen to pianist Lang Lang play it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s71I_EWJk7I

Perhaps we can say that our lives are in rondo form. We have a main theme that resonates with us as our 'home key" and is filled by our core values such as family, religion, learning, and maybe music. We then divert our lives into other areas or interests such as traveling, learning a new sport, etc. We must always prioritize our core values and return to them in order to feel at home and authentic to ourselves.  This is our return to our personal "A section".  We may have different periods of our lives where we venture off into new areas, new careers, and new experiences, but we must continue to return to what is truly essential in our lives.

As I reflect on my very limited knowledge of politics, perhaps our election system is also reflected by a rondo form. While I believe our nation is founded on the principles of individual freedoms and human rights, it appears we may be about to diverge from the core of who we are as a nation, to some other idea of public policy.  No matter what political side you may be on, politics seem to swing back and forth between divergent directions.  My hope is that we always return to the "A section" that our democracy preserves individual freedom and represents a society that cares and respects one another.  As a nation we should lead by positive example and that we may share our ability, strength, and resources with those less fortunate. We should care and look out for one another. To me, the democracy of the United States should be an "A section" that we can return to over and over again, even if temporarily divergent from our home key. This may take some effort, but we should not shy away from the challenge.