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== Sonatina == |
== Sonatina == |
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A '''sonatina''' is literally a small [[sonata]]. As a musical term, "sonatina" has no single strict definition; it is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece that is in basic [[sonata form]], but is shorter, lighter in character, or more elementary technically than a typical [[sonata]]. |
A '''sonatina''' is literally a small [[sonata]]. As a musical term, "sonatina" has no single strict definition; it is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece that is in basic [[sonata form]], but is shorter, lighter in character, or more elementary technically than a typical [[sonata]].<sup>1</sup> The term has been in use at least since the late baroque; there is a one-page, one-movement harpsichord piece by [[George Frideric Handel|Handel]] called "Sonatina".<sup>2</sup> It is almost always applied to solo keyboard works. |
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Like many musical terms, '''sonatina''' is used inconsistently. The most common meaning is a short, easy [[sonata]] suitable for students, such as the piano sonatinas of [[Muzio Clementi|Clementi]]. However, by no means are all sonatinas technically undemanding, for example the virtuoso sonatinas of [[Ferruccio Busoni|Busoni]], and the ''Sonatine'' of [[Maurice Ravel|Ravel]] |
Like many musical terms, '''sonatina''' is used inconsistently. The most common meaning is a short, easy [[sonata]] suitable for students, such as the piano sonatinas of [[Muzio Clementi|Clementi]]. However, by no means are all sonatinas technically undemanding, for example the virtuoso sonatinas of [[Ferruccio Busoni|Busoni]], and the [[Sonatine (Ravel)|''Sonatine'']] of [[Maurice Ravel|Ravel]], whose title reflects its neo-classical quality. On the other hand, some sonatas could equally as well have been called sonatinas: for example [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s Op. 49, titled by the composer "''Zwei Leichte Sonaten für das Pianoforte''" ("Two Easy Sonatas for Piano") comprise only two short movements each, a [[sonata form#sonata-allegro|sonata-allegro]] and a short [[rondo]] (No. 1) or [[minuet]] (No. 2), all well within the grasp of the intermediate student. |
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In general, a '''sonatina''' will have one or more of the following characteristics: brevity; fewer movements than the four of the late [[sonata#3.2|classical sonata]]; technical simplicity; a lighter, less serious character. The first (or only) movement is generally in an abbreviated [[sonata form]], with little or no [[Musical development|development]] of the themes. For this reason, a '''sonatina''' is sometimes defined, especially in British usage, as a short piece in [[sonata form]] in which the [[Musical development|development]] section is entirely absent: the [[sonata form#exposition|exposition]] is followed immediately by a brief [[Bridge (music)|bridge passage]] to [[Modulation (music)|modulate]] back to the home [[Key (music)|key]] for the [[sonata form#recapitulation|recapitulation]]. Subsequent movements (at most two) may be in any of the common forms: e.g. a [[minuet]] or [[scherzo]], a slow [[Variation (music)|theme-and-variations]], or a [[rondo]]. |
In general, a '''sonatina''' will have one or more of the following characteristics: brevity; fewer movements than the four of the late [[sonata#3.2|classical sonata]]; technical simplicity; a lighter, less serious character; and (in post-romantic music) a neo-classical style or a reference to earlier music. |
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The first (or only) movement is generally in an abbreviated [[sonata form]], with little or no [[Musical development|development]] of the themes. For this reason, a '''sonatina''' is sometimes defined, especially in British usage, as a short piece in [[sonata form]] in which the [[Musical development|development]] section is quite perfunctory or entirely absent:<sup>3</sup> the [[sonata form#exposition|exposition]] is followed immediately by a brief [[Bridge (music)|bridge passage]] to [[Modulation (music)|modulate]] back to the home [[Key (music)|key]] for the [[sonata form#recapitulation|recapitulation]]. Subsequent movements (at most two) may be in any of the common forms: e.g. a [[minuet]] or [[scherzo]], a slow [[Variation (music)|theme-and-variations]], or a [[rondo]]. |
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<sup>1</sup> Collins Music Encyclopedia (1959: William Collins & Co. Ltd.), entry '''sonatina'''. |
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<sup>2</sup> Oxford Companion to Music by Percy A. Scholes (1938,1978 ''et al''.: O.U.P.), entry '''sonatina'''. |
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<sup>3</sup> Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, subheading ''sonatina'' in article '''sonata''', http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-554229/sonata |
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Revision as of 14:49, 1 September 2007
Sonatina
A sonatina is literally a small sonata. As a musical term, "sonatina" has no single strict definition; it is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece that is in basic sonata form, but is shorter, lighter in character, or more elementary technically than a typical sonata.1 The term has been in use at least since the late baroque; there is a one-page, one-movement harpsichord piece by Handel called "Sonatina".2 It is almost always applied to solo keyboard works.
Like many musical terms, sonatina is used inconsistently. The most common meaning is a short, easy sonata suitable for students, such as the piano sonatinas of Clementi. However, by no means are all sonatinas technically undemanding, for example the virtuoso sonatinas of Busoni, and the Sonatine of Ravel, whose title reflects its neo-classical quality. On the other hand, some sonatas could equally as well have been called sonatinas: for example Beethoven's Op. 49, titled by the composer "Zwei Leichte Sonaten für das Pianoforte" ("Two Easy Sonatas for Piano") comprise only two short movements each, a sonata-allegro and a short rondo (No. 1) or minuet (No. 2), all well within the grasp of the intermediate student.
In general, a sonatina will have one or more of the following characteristics: brevity; fewer movements than the four of the late classical sonata; technical simplicity; a lighter, less serious character; and (in post-romantic music) a neo-classical style or a reference to earlier music.
The first (or only) movement is generally in an abbreviated sonata form, with little or no development of the themes. For this reason, a sonatina is sometimes defined, especially in British usage, as a short piece in sonata form in which the development section is quite perfunctory or entirely absent:3 the exposition is followed immediately by a brief bridge passage to modulate back to the home key for the recapitulation. Subsequent movements (at most two) may be in any of the common forms: e.g. a minuet or scherzo, a slow theme-and-variations, or a rondo.
1 Collins Music Encyclopedia (1959: William Collins & Co. Ltd.), entry sonatina.
2 Oxford Companion to Music by Percy A. Scholes (1938,1978 et al.: O.U.P.), entry sonatina.
3 Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, subheading sonatina in article sonata, http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-554229/sonata