What is a sonata?

A sonata is a type of instrumental music that is written in such a way as to make a sound.

In the history of classical music, this type of music has developed differently according to the different styles of each school of music. The sonata form was gradually developed and perfected from the period of the classical school.

In the early 19th century, sonatas for all kinds of instruments appeared in large numbers, and the sonata became the main expression of Western classical music. In the 20th century, composers still wrote sonatas for instruments, but the sonatas of the 20th century had a different style compared to those of the classical and romantic schools.

Expanded Information

The structure of the piece:

Movement 1: Allegro, scherzo style.

Second movement: slow movement, variations, compound trio or free sonata form.

Third movement: minuet or harmonic, compound trio.

Fourth movement: Allegro or Allegro, Scherzo or Rondo

Sonatas sometimes omit the third movement. For example: Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor ("Passion") (op. 57) and his Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ("Pathétique") (op. 13).

Baidu Encyclopedia - Sonata (Classical Music Genre)