SONATA

sonata

(noun) a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

sonata (plural sonatas)

(music) A musical composition for one or a few instruments, one of which is frequently a piano, in three or four movements that vary in key and tempo.

Anagrams

• Aostan

Source: Wiktionary

So*na"ta, n. Etym: [It., fr. It. & L. sonare to sound. See Sound a noise.] (Mus.)

Definition: An extended composition for one or two instruments, consisting usually of three or four movements; as, Beethoven's sonatas for the piano, for the violin and piano, etc.

Note: The same general structure prevails in symphonies, instrumental trios, quartets, etc., and even in classical concertos. The sonata form, distinctively, characterizes the quick opening movement, which may have a short, slow introduction; the second, or slow, movement is either in the song or variation form; third comes the playful minuet of the more modern scherzo; then the quick finale in the rondo form. But both form and order are sometimes exceptional.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition