sonata da chiesa

[ suh-nah-tuh duh kee-ey-zuh; Italian saw-nah-tah dah kye-zah ]

noun

1. an instrumental musical form, common in the Baroque period, that usually consists of four movements alternating between slow and fast.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sonata da chiesa¹

1795–1805; < Italian: literally, sonata of the church

Example Sentences

Included on the program were excerpts from Thomson's The Mother of Us All, a two-act opera about Feminist Susan B. Anthony, with text by Gertrude Stein, the Sonata da Chiesa, Etudes for Piano, Lamentations for Accordion.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was clearly demonstrated in the anniversary concert's Sonata da Chiesa, with its opening chorale based on a Kansas City Negro church service.

From Time Magazine Archive