'Sonata' or just 'Random Music for an Instrument'?

There are a couple of musical terms that I am obviously familiar with, but are not sure of their compositional use per se. As in, what constitutes a sonata, or concerto, or a fantasia, or all the others? I've heard many sonatas, concertos, rhapsodies, etc., but I have yet to really write some.

So my main reason for creating this thread: If I were to write, say, a lengthy piece, in movements, for piano and trumpet or piano and clarinet or something like that, would I be able to call it a sonata without following any sort of rules? Like form or something? Or, what are these rules and why haven't I been told them already? :D

Same goes with the other terms. Fantasy? Rhapsody? These usually pertain to the lengthy development of themes, correct? But what other 'requirements' are there?

Sonata does refer to several different forms (because sonata forms devoloped).

The main idea of a sonata is having a three movement piece consisting of an exposition a development and a recapitulation. If you make a 'story plot'-analogy this will make sense.

The exposition displays thematic material, first in the tonic key. Then it modulates to the dominant. (there it can repeat themes, start new ones of both). The development develops the material presented in the first movement. It is also a harmonic voyage starting off from the dominant (with one more sharp/one less flat) to possibly very remote keys. The vi is the most common one in romantic music. There can also be thematic development, where the theme is worked out in different ways. Some sonatas employ major harmonic development using totally new themes. At the end of the development the music returns to the original key, often with a full cadence, but one way too weak to end the piece. The recapitulation is really a finale. A main theme is repeated in the tonic key. Often the music modulates to IV and introduces a new theme, an ending theme. A section ending a piece but with new themes is often called the coda. Then the piece returns to the home key (I) to end the piece for real. The coda theme can be repeated. Almost always there are several strong candences on the I chord.

Now actually this is called sonata allegro-form.

You should never call a piece a sonata if you don't know what a sonata is. There are tons of modern pieces which the composer marked 'sonata' but actually aren't true sonatas or no sonatas at all.

You can look up most names here: http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/

You can also use www.wikipedia.org , actually you can find anything there. But since everyone can edit those pages information in some cases may not be totally be correct.

Yeah, I didn't want to go in too much detail. Basicly a sonata is a major piece of absolute instrumental music, the sonata-allegro form as described above, and everything inbetween. You can't pin down what a true sonata form is because there isn't one. Thats why Charles Rosen named his book 'sonata forms', note the pural.

Oh, so, being a modern composer, it would be safe for me to create any sort of music that is for an instrument or and instrument with piano, and call it a Sonata? Generally I would compose this kind of piece in three movements, fast slow fast, anyway.

Well, that is an interesting question. To me marking a piece 'sonata' implies there is a structural design. If the music is actually totally free form I would probably use an alternative. You can name it by some name that does not refer to any musical form. Some german composers used the name klavierstuck but that's not as nice in english. Also, it often seems to refer to smaller pieces. I have also seen composers name their pieces 'compositions'. You could even try 'random music for piano'. Maybe it sounds nice in latin :cool: Maybe quasi-sonata, rondo, rondo-sonata, sonatina, etc. You could even name it pseudo-sonata :)

So you need to find a name that accurately describes the (form of the) piece. Lots of composers already stamped 'sonata' on almost everything. So don't let my opinion stop you. But really, if you think 'sonata' fits, use it.

Well, thanks for the help then! :cool:

Now, about fantasy and rhapsody...! :)

And Toccata, too :lol:.

Yes, Toccata as well! Although I do know that the translated form of this means 'touch', or something like that... But it has grown to mean a piece in one movement that uses staccato and repeated figures. Or something like that. Any additional info would be great!

Rhapsody

A rhapsody in music is a one-movement work that is episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, featuring a range of highly contrasted moods, color and tonality. An air of spontaneous inspiration and a sense of improvisation make it freer in form than a set of variations. Sergei Rachmaninoff's set of variations on a theme by Niccolò Paganini are so free in structure that the composer called them a Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Fantasy

introduced in 1500, the term indicated a composition that freely mixed elements of counterpoint and imitative technique, with others of free virtuoso improvisation.

Toccata

instrumental piece displaying the performer's gifts as a virtuoso.

Courtesy of google...

Wow, that's a lot of forms. It could be usefull to me too, as i really want to write a minuet. Good find prometheus. :lol:

I've been becoming interested in the fugue. Though what really makes it? My comp teacher has shown me some things. But does it really have a specific form to follow or is it all about the intervals?