Welcome back to Between the Barlines! I am your host, Dr. Maeve Berry! Today, we are going to begin a 3-part series exploring the instrumental genres of the classical era. With that being said, today we’re diving into one of the most influential musical forms of the Classical period: the sonata. When we think of the sonata today, we often imagine Beethoven or Mozart, maybe a stormy piano piece or a graceful violin movement. But the story of the sonata goes back earlier—to the early Classical period, around the mid-18th century—when composers were beginning to move away from the complexity of the Baroque and toward clarity, contrast, and expressive balance.

Music mentioned in this episode:

C.P.E. Bach - Sonata in A Major, H.186: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtndLR9Ef_0

D. Scarlatti - Sonata in D Major, K119: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSj24ge6sew

Haydn - Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI: 52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDVj_JzQCg8

J.C. Bach - Sonatas: https://youtu.be/XCGaldUh1G4