Sonata is a vague term, with varying meanings depending on the context and time period. : 17 The term evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms until the Classical era, when it took on increasing importance. sonate from Latin and Italian: sonare, 'to sound'), in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata (Latin and Italian cantare, 'to sing'), a piece sung. Sonata ( / s ə ˈ n ɑː t ə/ Italian:, pl. Problems playing these files? See media help.