Building on ideas first advanced by Arnold Schoenberg and later developed by Erwin Ratz, this book introduces a new theory of form for instrumental music in the classical style. The theory provides a broad set of principles and a comprehensive methodology for the analysis of classical form,from individual ideas, phrases, and themes to the large-scale organization of complete movements. It emphasizes the notion of formal function, that is, the specific role a given formal unit plays in the structural organization of a classical work.

Introduction 
Preliminaries 
Some Basic Formal Functions: An Overview p. 9
Sentence p. 9
Period p. 12
Small Ternary p. 13
Framing Functions p. 15
Interthematic Functions: A Sonata Exposition p. 17
Fundamental Progressions of Harmony p. 23
Harmonic Functions p. 23
Harmonic Progressions p. 24
Tight-Knit Themes 
Sentence p. 35
Presentation Phrase p. 35
Continuation Phrase p. 40
Period p. 49
Antecedent Phrase p. 49
Consequent Phrase p. 53
Deviations from the Norm p. 55
Hybrid Themes and Compound Themes p. 59
Hybrid Themes p. 59
Compound Themes p. 63
Small Ternary p. 71
Exposition p. 73
Contrasting Middle p. 75
Recapitulation p. 81
Tight-Knit Versus Loose Organization p. 84
Small Binary p. 87
First Part p. 87
Second Part p. 89
Looser Formal Regions 
Subordinate Theme p. 97
Looser Sentential Functions p. 99
Additional Loosening Techniques p. 111
Multiple Subordinate Themes p. 121
Closing Section p. 122
Dynamic Curve of Subordinate Theme p. 123
Transition p. 125
Modulating Versus Nonmodulating Transitions p. 127
Beginning the Transition p. 127
Ending the Transition p. 131
Two-Part Transition p. 135
Development p. 139
Tonal Organization p. 139
Pre-Core/Core Technique p. 141
Development Sections Without a Core p. 155
Retransition p. 157
Recapitulation p. 161
Main Theme p. 163
Transition p. 163
Fusion of Main Theme and Transition p. 165
Subordinate Theme (Group) p. 167
Additional Features p. 171
Deviations from the Norm p. 173
Coda p. 179
Start of the Coda p. 181
Phrase-Structural Organization p. 183
Compensatory Functions p. 186
Full-Movement Forms 
Sonata Form p. 195
Overall Tonal Organization p. 195
Cadential Goals in the Exposition p. 196
Main Theme p. 197
Obscured Boundary Between Transition and Subordinate Theme p. 201
Slow Introduction p. 203
Slow-Movement Forms p. 209
Sonata Form in Slow Movements p. 209
Large Ternary p. 211
Sonata Without Development p. 216
Theme and Variations p. 216
Minuet/Trio Form p. 219
Minuet Form p. 220
Trio p. 229
Rondo Forms p. 231
Five-Part Rondo p. 231
Sonata-Rondo p. 235
Concerto Form p. 243
Opening Ritornello p. 244
Solo Exposition p. 245
Subordinate-Key Ritornello p. 248
Solo Development p. 249
Solo Recapitulation p. 249
Closing Ritornello p. 250
Glossary of Terms p. 253
Notes p. 259
Bibliography p. 289
Index of Classical Compositions p. 293
General Index p. 298