What is a sonata? Literally translated, it simply means instrumental piece'. It is the epitome of instrumental music, and is certainly the oldest and most enduring form of pure' and independent instrumental composition, beginning around 1600 and lasting to the present day. Schmidt-Beste analyses key aspects of the genre including form, scoring and its social context who composed, played and listened to sonatas? In giving a comprehensive overview of all forms of music which were called sonatas' at some point in musical history, this book is more about change than about consistency an ensemble...