Sonata: meaning, definitions and examples

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sonata

 

[ sษ™หˆnษ‘หtษ™ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

musical composition

A sonata is a musical composition typically for a solo instrument or a small ensemble. It usually consists of several movements, each with its own distinct character and tempo. The structure of a sonata often follows a specific form, such as sonata-allegro form, which includes exposition, development, and recapitulation sections. Sonatas have been a prominent form in Western classical music, commonly composed during the Classical and Romantic periods. They allow for deep expression and technical showcase of the instrument.

Synonyms

composition, piece, work.

Examples of usage

  • She performed a beautiful sonata on the piano.
  • The sonata in C major is one of Beethoven's most famous works.
  • He studied the sonata form in his music theory class.

Translations

Translations of the word "sonata" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sonata

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ‹เคจเคพเคŸเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Sonate

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sonata

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะพะฝะฐั‚ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sonata

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฝใƒŠใ‚ฟ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sonate

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sonata

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sonat

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†Œ๋‚˜ํƒ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณูˆู†ุงุชุง

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sonรกta

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sonรกta

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฅ้ธฃๆ›ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sonata

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sonata

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะพะฝะฐั‚ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒœแƒแƒขแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sonata

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sonata

Etymology

The word 'sonata' originates from the Italian term 'sonare', meaning 'to sound'. The term began to be used in music terminology around the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Originally, it referred to compositions that were played rather than sung, in contrast to 'cantata', which derives from the same root meaning 'to sing'. By the time of the Classical era, the sonata had evolved into a significant form that encompassed various instrumentation, primarily focusing on piano sonatas. Prominent composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven greatly contributed to the development of the sonata form, establishing its influence in Western classical music, which persists to this day.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,381, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.