The name 'sonata' comes from the Latin word sonare, meaning 'to sound'. It can refer to either the four-movement works often seen from the Baroque¹ time period to the present, or to the first movement of these musical compositions, which are commonly in sonata form. Two distinct versions of the sonata can be seen: the Baroque Sonata, prevalent from 1660 to 1760, and the Classical sonata, from 1760 to the present.

The Baroque Sonata

The first type of sonata was the Baroque sonata, which was seen in the time period of the great Baroque composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and George Frideric Handel². The Baroque Sonata itself was also divided into two different types. The sonata da chiesa (church sonata) and the sonata da camera (chamber sonata). The church sonata had four movements³: a slow movement followed by a fast movement, back to a slow, and then a fast concluding movement. The chamber sonata had mostly dancelike movements that were similar to the suite⁴.

The Classical Sonata

The classical sonata came about roughly during the period between 1750 - 1830. It was introduced by the great composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn during the early part of the classical period and was improved upon by the works of Ludwig Van Beethoven. The sonata of the classical period was divided into four movements. The first movement was usually called the allegro, and was in sonata form⁵ and was played quickly and aggressively with the notes generally staccato⁶ and accented. The second movement of the classical sonata is oftentimes called the adagio. This movement is played more slowly than the first and is played lyrically, not aggressively and staccato like the first, thus providing the contrast that was so important during the classical era. The third movement was called the minuet⁷, and this movement was in a triple meter, as a waltz is. The fourth movement was oftentimes called the allegro as well, and like the first movement was fast and aggressive and also in sonata form. This had the effect of providing a dramatic and energetic conclusion.

Two Examples of the Baroque Sonata

Two good examples of the sonata de chiesa are Corelli's Opuses 1 and 3. Two good examples of the sonata de camara are also by Corelli, but the Opuses 2 and 4.

A Great Example of the Classical Sonata

One of the best works that easily defines the classical sonata is Beethoven's 3rd symphony, Eroica. This symphony clearly defines the four movements of the sonata and demonstrates the dramatic contrast involved during the classical period. Beethoven originally intended to dedicate this symphony to Napolean Bonaparte, but changed his mind when Napolean took over France as Emperor.

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¹ This refers to the 17th and 18th centuries.
² From 1600 until about 1750, when the deaths of Bach and Handel marked the end of the Baroque period and the beginning of the Classical period.
³ A movement is a section of a musical piece with its own distinct character.
⁴ A series of musical pieces in the same key using dance rhythms.
⁵ This is also called sonata allegro or first movement form.
⁶ Short and punctuated.
⁷ It could also be called the scherzo if it was fast.