Rondo

Rondo is a musical form characterized by a recurring main theme (A) that keeps returning between contrasting episodes (B, C, or more). The A section is heard after each episode, producing a sense of return and unity. Common patterns include ABACA, ABACABA, and ABACAD, though many variants exist. In a typical five-part rondo, the principal theme remains in the tonic key while the episodes may modulate to other keys.

Etymology and origins: The term comes from Italian rondo, meaning round or circle, from rondare to go round. In medieval and Baroque music, rondo-like refrains appeared in vocal rondeaux and instrumental pieces derived from dance tunes; by the Classical era the rondo had become a distinct formal type.

History and usage: The form flourished in the 18th century and remained common in Classical repertoire. It is often used as the final movement of sonatas and concertos, offering a bright, cyclical close. Notable examples include Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca (Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331) and many works by Haydn and Beethoven that feature explicit rondo or sonata-rondo finales.

Variations and related forms: Sonata-rondo form blends sonata form with recurring rondo material, typically including a development section between returns of the main theme. Other composers adapted the structure to suit different moods and instrumental forces.