noun

• The form of a movement in which the first subject is repeated after an interposed second subject in a related key.

  ‘In the 20th century, ternary form was used by Bartók, and even by Webern, who reverted to old structural forms in his 12-note instrumental works dating from 1927 to 1940.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The first two pieces are in ternary form with a fast-slow-fast regimen.’
  • ‘In the Andante the adoption of a simple ternary form allows him the freedom to grapple with his 12-note technique.’
  • ‘Unlike the binary form, the ternary form's sections are each complete and whole themselves; they do not need each other for finality or resolution.’
  • ‘How is ternary form used in the Viennese waltz sets of the later 19th century?’