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The return of the exposition material, now with both themes in the tonic key, resolving the tonal tension of the exposition.
The recapitulation is not mere repetition — it resolves the harmonic journey. The second theme, which was in the dominant or relative major, now returns in the tonic. Skilled composers modify the recapitulation: alter transitions, reorchestrate, or add new material.
Mozart's Symphony No. 40, first movement — the recapitulation subtly alters the transition, making the return feel both familiar and fresh.
Recapitulation is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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