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The Wikipedia article "History of sonata form" states the following (translated by ChatGPT4o):
The practices of Haydn and Mozart form the foundation for descriptions of sonata form. Their works served as both models of the form and as sources of new works that helped to conceive sonata form itself. Discussions on sonata form extensively reference the practices of Haydn and Mozart.
Joseph Haydn, known as the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father of the String Quartet," can also be regarded as the father of sonata form as a means of structuring works. His string quartets and symphonies not only demonstrate the scope of the form’s application but also illustrate how to exploit its dramatic potential. Haydn created transitions into the development and recapitulation sections as moments of highest tension and dramatic interest. By embedding all harmonic aspects of a work within the principal themes, he enabled broader contours in his compositions. This innovation—producing a monophonic analog to the polyphonic style of the fugue—was no small breakthrough. It provided composers with latent seeds to produce diverse effects later on. Haydnʼs ability to generate varied dramatic effects and tension was noted by his contemporaries, and his music increasingly became the standard against which other practices were evaluated.
Haydn’s string quartet collection Op. 33 presents the first example of characteristic use of sonata form. The composer himself stated that these works were written based on completely new principles, marking a turning point in his compositional technique.
ChatGPT4o was asked: "When and in which work did Haydn first use the completed sonata form?"
Haydnʼs string quartets Op. 33, published in 1781, are often cited as the first works in which he used the completed sonata form. This set of works clearly demonstrates the use of sonata form, with a distinct three-part structure: exposition, development, and recapitulation. This structure was later adopted by many composers and became the standard form in Classical music.
Haydnʼs piano sonatas also played an important role in the development of sonata form. Particularly, his Piano Sonata No. 6 in C Major, Hob. XVI:6, exemplifies the early use of sonata form with clearly separated exposition, development, and recapitulation sections.
Through these works, Haydn established the structure of sonata form, greatly influencing the course of music history. This form was further developed by Mozart and Beethoven and became a fundamental element of Classical music.
ChatGPT4o was asked: "When and in which symphony did Haydn first use the completed sonata form?"
Haydn is generally recognized for first using the completed sonata form in his symphonies during the mid-1760s to 1770s. Notable examples include Symphony No. 44 in E minor, "Trauer" (Mourning), and Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, "Farewell." These works clearly feature the typical sonata form structure of exposition, development, and recapitulation.
In particular, Symphony No. 44 in E minor (1768) demonstrates a fully established sonata form. It is characterized by structural clarity and thematic contrast. The first movement presents themes in the exposition, develops them in the development section, and restates them in the recapitulation—a textbook example of sonata form.
Additionally, Haydnʼs string quartets Op. 33 (1781) are frequently cited as mature examples of his use of the completed sonata form.
These works greatly influenced Mozart and Beethoven, contributing to the establishment of sonata form as the standard structure in Classical music.
ChatGPT4o was asked: "Does this mean Haydn used sonata form in symphonies before Op. 33?"
Yes, Haydn used sonata form in symphonies prior to Op. 33. Below are several early examples where he employed this form:
These examples show that Haydn began incorporating sonata form in his symphonies before 1770. Although Op. 33, published in 1781, is often highlighted, Haydn had been experimenting with sonata form well before that, gradually refining it into the standard Classical structure.
ChatGPT4o was asked: "Then why is Op. 33 often cited as Haydnʼs first use of the completed sonata form?"
Haydnʼs String Quartets Op. 33 (1781) are often cited as his first use of the completed sonata form due to several reasons. This set marks a maturation in his compositional technique and presents a more refined sonata form structure. The reasons are as follows:
Although Haydn used sonata form before Op. 33, this collection is regarded as the first example of his fully mature sonata form due to its clarity, refinement, and influence on subsequent Classical music.