sonata

formsoh-NAH-tahfrom Italian

A composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four movements.‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍

In Depth

A sonata is a multi-movement work for one or two instruments, typically following a three or four-movement structure: fast–slow–(dance)–fast.‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍ The first movement usually follows sonata form, with its exposition, development, and recapitulation. The term comes from the Italian sonare, meaning to sound, distinguishing instrumental music from cantata (sung music). The sonata has been central to Western classical music for over 300 years. Mozart and Beethoven wrote dozens of piano sonatas that remain the core of the piano repertoire. Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas are sometimes called the pianist's New Testament. The sonata principle — the idea of stating themes, developing them, and returning to them — influenced virtually all large-scale instrumental music.

Did you know?

When a journalist asked Beethoven to explain one of his piano sonatas, he reportedly sat down and played the entire piece again from memory rather than attempt a verbal explanation.

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