Indeed, a monograph-length analytic study of the harmonic, thematic,
and formal components of the cadenza would hardly suffer for lack of new
ground to break. My task in the current context, however, must be more limited.
In short, I begin with the following question: Is the parenthesis metaphor
viable for tonal music, and how, precisely, does it apply to the cadenza?
To address this, I consider how the cadenza interacts within its movement
proper both as a local-level harmonic event and as a global-level formal event.
In so doing, I introduce a new analytical model that will ultimately serve to
elucidate nine tonal/formal cadenza types. Finally, I conclude the study with
a series of analytical vignettes designed to model a variety of tonal and formal
possibilities for the cadenza.