sonata form
noun
: a musical form that consists basically of an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation and that is used especially for the first movement of a sonata
Examples of sonata form in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To these older materials, however, the work adds more adventurous harmonies and stretches the older sonata form.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022
By 1784, sonata form had imprinted itself on the listening culture enough to feel like instinct; Vienna audiences could rest comfortably in the run of classical forms as familiar—and thus enjoyable—narratives.
—Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 29 May 2020
However, the order of those movements doesn’t follow the classical model of fast sonata form followed by a slow movement, a dance movement (usually a minuet or scherzo), and a fast sonata or rondo finale.
—Jessica Rudman, courant.com, 13 Oct. 2019
But longevity allowed him a career in almost perfect sonata form, with a final period that recapitulated some of the joy of the first without ever trying to evade what had come between.
—Douglas Murray, National Review, 11 July 2019
In early 19th century Vienna, however, long, tuneful melodies weren’t easily adapted into four-movement sonata forms like symphonies or string quartets.
—Christian Hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, 25 Mar. 2018
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San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022
By 1784, sonata form had imprinted itself on the listening culture enough to feel like instinct; Vienna audiences could rest comfortably in the run of classical forms as familiar—and thus enjoyable—narratives.
—Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 29 May 2020
However, the order of those movements doesn’t follow the classical model of fast sonata form followed by a slow movement, a dance movement (usually a minuet or scherzo), and a fast sonata or rondo finale.
—Jessica Rudman, courant.com, 13 Oct. 2019
But longevity allowed him a career in almost perfect sonata form, with a final period that recapitulated some of the joy of the first without ever trying to evade what had come between.
—Douglas Murray, National Review, 11 July 2019
In early 19th century Vienna, however, long, tuneful melodies weren’t easily adapted into four-movement sonata forms like symphonies or string quartets.
—Christian Hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, 25 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Sonata form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonata%20form. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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