Sonata
a term originally applied to any kind of musical composition for instruments, as distinguished from vocal compositions, which were called cantatas.
It is now, however, confined to composi- SONNINO tions for solo instruments, generally the pianoforte. The term sonata or suonata, as applied to a musical composition, was first used about the beginning of the 17th century. Those of that time so called had but one movement; they were in fact simply airs arranged in parts for an instrument or instruments. A modern sonata is generally constructed upon the following plan: The first movement is an allegro, sometimes with an introduction, but more frequently without one; the second, "the slow movement," is set in any time, between adagio and andante; and the final movement is an allegro. See CONCERTO.