What is The Sonata Form (and why should I care)?

The Sonata Form...One of the most important conceptual developments in Classical Music...or some irrelevant guff from the past? Complex? Simple? What on earth is it, and why should we care??

Let's try to find out...

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Video of Analysis of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony Mov 1 Sonata form:
   • The Sonata Form in action...analysis ...  

My accompanying video/audio map of that movement in action:
   • Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony 1st Mov...  

The recording comes from a live performance: Sir Adrian Boult with the BBC Symphony Orchestra recorded August 1, 1972, the Royal Albert Hall.

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