Sonata

Sonata, a musical composition, introduced and much used in the 17th and 18th centuries. It should have a single, common idea running through the movements, which are varied, and originally it was intended for one instrument, generally the violin, later the piano. If it is intended for more instruments than one, one instrument should always predominate in the same movement, and the others be looked on as accompaniments. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven are cerebrated for their sonatas.