Third Movement: D minor, 3/8 time, Sonata Form

Exposition

The primary theme continues without interruption, characterized by a texture figuration formed by a chain of sixteenth notes, which could be described as prelude-like. The secondary theme (from m. 43), based on a descending second motive that resonates with the first movement and possessing metric displacement and a duple meter characteristic, appears in the dominant key of A minor and is reinforced by octaves (from m. 51).

Development and Recapitulation

In the development section (from m. 95), only the figuration of the primary theme is primarily treated. Modulations are relentlessly repeated through the chain of textures. Beginning in G minor, it proceeds to A minor, D minor, C minor, and B-flat minor. After passing through A-flat major, the primary theme reappears in B-flat minor. This is further developed over the dominant chord of D minor, and the recapitulation (from m. 215) is prepared by a monophonic passage with hemiola.

After both themes appear in the tonic key of D minor, an expanded coda (from m. 323) concludes this sonata. Through the figuration of the primary theme, passing through G minor and A minor, the primary theme returns in D minor with an emphasized dominant. After a rapid chromatic descent that appeared in the exposition, the piece concludes with a descending arpeggiated tonic chord amidst the chain of figurations.