sonata

[suh-nah-tuh]

noun

Music.

1. a composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four movements in contrasted forms and keys.

sonata

/ səˈnɑːtə /

noun

1. an instrumental composition, usually in three or more movements, for piano alone ( piano sonata ) or for any other instrument with or without piano accompaniment ( violin sonata , cello sonata , etc) See also sonata form symphony concerto

2. a one-movement keyboard composition of the baroque period

sonata

1. A musical composition for one or two instruments, usually in three or four movements. The sonata of the classic era in music had a definite arrangement for its movements: the first and fourth had a fast tempo, the second had a slow tempo, and the third was in either playful style (a “scherzo”) or in dance form (a “minuet”).

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonata¹

1685–95; < Italian < Latin sonāta, feminine of sonātus (past participle of sonāre to sound ¹ ). See sonant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonata¹

C17: from Italian, from sonare to sound, from Latin

Example Sentences

“He talks about the Beethoven sonatas and then slips back into another world.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yet it took a sonata this complex and aggressive to seed the European post-World War II avant-garde and provide a basis for music that headed in new directions.

From Los Angeles Times

She performed at local churches and won second place in a statewide contest with a Scarlatti sonata at age 13.

From Los Angeles Times

Brahms’ early sonata remains undistinguished except for a stunning rendition of the slow movement.

From Los Angeles Times

By the mid-1960s he had begun composing sonatas for the mandolin and arranging classical pieces for traditional bluegrass ensembles.

From New York Times