sonatë

Sonatë is a musical form typically consisting of three or four movements, for a solo instrument or a small ensemble. The term originates from the Italian "sonare," meaning "to sound." While early sonatas could be quite varied in structure and number of movements, the term evolved to describe a more standardized form, particularly during the Baroque and Classical periods.

A common structure for a multi-movement sonata features a first movement in sonata form, often fast and energetic. The second movement is typically slower and more lyrical, offering a contrast to the first. If there are four movements, the third might be a minuet and trio or a scherzo, followed by a final, often fast and conclusive movement. The sonata form itself, as employed in the first movement, usually involves an exposition of themes, a development section where these themes are explored and transformed, and a recapitulation that returns to the original themes.

Composers like Domenico Scarlatti, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven were pivotal in developing and popularizing the sonata, particularly for solo instruments like the piano and violin, as well as for chamber ensembles. The sonata remains a fundamental genre in Western classical music, offering a rich canvas for instrumental expression and compositional ingenuity.