http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR2bGpzzub8

In Music Theory we’ve been studying modulations and more recently how they are used in sonata-allegro form. I showed the class a video I made a couple years ago in which I played around with how a silly text and narrative can bring to life the formal structure of this Sonatina by Kuhlau (Op. 20 No. 1, Allegro). The characters in the story sharpen the contrast between the Sonatina’s two themes. The story’s central problem helps us to understand the role of modulation during the exposition. Fragments of dialogue show how themes are played with during the development. The approaching resolution of the drama makes sense of the lack of modulation in the recapitulation. Finally, the story’s text helps the melodies sing and the phrases breathe. Adding words to instrumental music has always made me smile, and this video made my students smile as well.

EXPOSITION
Theme one (soprano)
Where’s my watch?
I cannot find it anywhere here
I’ve lost it
I need it
I need it very badly oh why can’t I find my watch

Theme one/transition (bass)
Well, let me help you dear
I’ll find it
Maybe not
Where is it?

Theme two (another soprano)
Oh hi!  What are you both looking for?
You are looking very stressed, how can I help you?
You really must stop losing things
I’m always bailing you out and
I am rather tired of it

Interrupted by the “wee” scales
Transition material and cadences:  Where is the watch?

DEVELOPMENT
Theme one fragments:
Where is it?
I need it
I want it
Please find it
Where is my watch now?
I cannot find it
I need my watch before I go to work

I’ll find your watch!
(Where is the watch?)
I’ll find your watch
(Where is the watch?)
WHERE is THE watch?!?

Transition material — mini-wees and a longer wee

RECAPITULATION
Theme one
Where’s my watch?
I cannot find it anywhere here
I’ve lost it
I need it
I need it very badly oh why can’t I find my watch

Transition
Well, let me help you dear
I’ll find it
Maybe not
Yes, I will! (change — not modulating to V)

Theme two
Oh my!  You’re still looking for the watch
And you do not seem to know just where to find it
Why don’t you look inside the fridge
You’re always putting odd things there
And yes indeed, right here it is

Cadence
Wee!
We found the watch!