What musical form typically features a contrasting middle section resulting in an ABA structure?

The structure known as ABA is prominently associated with the scherzo-trio form, which consists of three sections. The first scherzo section presents a lively and energetic theme, followed by a contrasting middle section (the trio) that introduces different melodic and rhythmic material. This trio section is typically more lyrical or softer than the scherzo, providing a refreshing contrast. The form concludes with a return to the original scherzo, reinforcing the thematic material presented at the beginning and creating a cohesive musical journey.

In contrast, through-composed music does not have repeated sections, and sonata form, while it does involve contrasting themes, generally has a more complex structure than a simple ABA. Binary form typically consists of two contrasting sections (A and B) but does not include a return to the initial theme, which is a key component of the ABA structure. Thus, the scherzo-trio-scherzo form distinctly meets the criteria of having a contrasting middle section that leads back to the original theme.