what is sonata

A sonata is a type of musical composition that typically consists of two to four movements, or sections, each in a related key but with a unique musical character. The term evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms until the Classical era, when it took on increasing importance. Sonata is a vague term, with varying meanings depending on the context and time period. It can mean a composition in two or more movements, or separate sections, played by a small group of instruments, having no more than three independent parts. Sonata can also refer to a composition for a larger instrumental group having more than two or three such as a string quartet or an orchestra, provided that the composition is based on principles of musical form that from the mid-18th century. The term has been more loosely applied to 20th-century works, whether or not they rely on 18th-century principles.