In sonata form, what does the Recapitulation section do?

In sonata form, the Recapitulation section plays a crucial role as it returns to the original key established in the Exposition. This section restates the main themes that were introduced earlier, but it does so without the modulations to different keys that characterized the Development section. The primary purpose of the Recapitulation is to create a sense of resolution and coherence in the music, reinforcing the material that has already been presented and providing a satisfying conclusion to the thematic ideas. By returning to the original key, the Recapitulation solidifies the tonality and provides closure, which is essential for the overall structure of the sonata form.