Dithematic

/ˌdaɪθɪˈmætɪk/ adjective

Definition

Having or relating to two themes or two distinct melodic subjects, particularly in music or literary composition.

Etymology

From Greek 'di-' (two) + 'thema' (theme) + '-ic'. Used in musical analysis to describe works built around two principal themes.

Kelly Says

Sonata form, which dominated classical music from Mozart to Beethoven, is fundamentally dithematic—it sets up two contrasting musical ideas and then spends an entire development section tearing them apart and reassembling them.

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