What is sonata form characterized by?

Sonata form is characterized by three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation. In the exposition, the main themes of the piece are presented, often contrasting in character and key. The development section takes these themes and explores them, varying them and modulating to different keys, which adds drama and tension. Finally, in the recapitulation, the original themes from the exposition return, typically in the home key, bringing resolution and a sense of closure to the piece. This structural framework is fundamental in Western classical music, especially during the Classical and Romantic periods, making it a foundational concept for understanding how composers organize their music within larger works.