Supreme form of Western Classical Music - Sonata Form

While there are many forms of Western classical music, the pre-eminent one from an intellectual point of view is the Sonata form. Initially Sonata meant instrumental piece to distinguish it from Cantata, a vocal piece. Later it assumed a specific structure of its own, briefly outlined as follows:

1. Introduction (optional)

2. Exposition consisting of

    First subject in tonic key followed by

    Bridge section to 

    second subject, which should be 

    in the dominant key, if the first is 

    in major key or in the relative major

    if the first is in a minor key.

 3. Development of above material

 4. Recapitulation.

Many popular sonatas may not follow this strictly. From solo piano sonatas to (usually the first movements of) symphonies, concertos, trios, quartets etc., may be in this form.)

Here, a few of the most popular Piano sonatas (which are the only pieces where the performer appears alone on the stage.) are listed.

Haydn & Mozart composed many beautiful examples, but the ones to be named &

enjoyed were the "Moonlight" & "Pathetique" of Beethoven. His "Appassionato", "The Tempest" & "Les Adieux" are also justly famous. But the single movement sonata in B minor of the virtuoso Liszt, remains a landmark achievement to this day. His fellow virtuoso (but with a softer touch), Chopin, though mostly composing miniature forms like etudes, nocturnes & waltzes, also. composed a few piano sonatas. 

The Russian, Scriabin, who put his Synesthesia to creative use (by using colours to complement his music), also composed piano sonatas, notably, Op. 23, 30, 64 & 68.