Second subject
Second, contrasting theme of a sonata movement.
What it means
The second subject, also called the second theme, is the second theme in sonata form. It follows the first subject and the transition and contrasts with it, often more melodic, calmer and more song-like. In the exposition it appears in a different key from the first subject.
Musical use
In major-key movements the second subject usually stands in the dominant key in the exposition, in minor-key movements usually in the relative major. In the recapitulation it then appears in the home key, so that the harmonic conflict is resolved. Examples are found in the sonatas and symphonies of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Some movements have two or more secondary themes.
The second subject should be distinguished from the first subject, which opens the movement, and from the closing group, which ends the exposition. The episode theme of a rondo also has different functions.
Performance practice
Give the second subject a different sound from the first subject: if the first was energetic, let the second sound song-like. Pay attention to the change of key and let it be heard as an opening-out.