What is a sonata?
A sonata is piece of instrumental music, usually for a solo instrument, or a small group.
Christina Lawrie plays "Sonata Pathetique", Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor by Ludwig Van Beethoven, 1798
Structure and form
In the Classical period (roughly 1750-1810) 'sonata' came to mean a work in several movements, usually three.
Sonata form
The first movement is in a special sonata form made up of:
- exposition
- development
- recapitulation
Instruments
During the Classical period the harpsichord had been largely replaced by the piano.
Many piano sonatas were written and many composers wrote sonatas for a solo instrument and piano. Violin, cello and flute sonatas were all popular.
Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven all wrote piano sonatas, violin sonatas and cello sonatas.
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