In the 19th century, numerous cello sonatas existed, most of which are now forgotten, and their stylistic diversity is remarkable. Many of the best-known cello pieces date from the last decades of this century, though only a few have survived in the concert repertoire.
The classical sonata developed from 1775 onward as a new musical form in which a melody instrument is harmonically accompanied by a piano—in contrast to the Baroque era with its basso continuo accompaniment. Ludwig van Beethoven significantly shaped this genre. His sonatas for cello and piano became models for countless subsequent compositions over the next 150 years. His Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69, from 1808, was particularly important for posterity.
Beethoven also revolutionized the role of the cello in the orchestra. While Joseph Haydn had already begun to separate the cellos from other bass instruments and compose independent parts, Beethoven went even further, sometimes assigning the cellos the melodic lead, for example, at the beginning of the second movement of his Fifth Symphony.
The composers of this period influenced one another and created significant chamber music works. Some of these works surprised contemporary listeners and colleagues with their originality and innovative approach to music. The cello sonatas of this era are characterized by melodic diversity, technical sophistication, and unexpected musical turns.
The sonata form, established between Beethoven and Brahms, continued to evolve. Various composers expanded the repertoire with different stylistic approaches, some works exhibiting more lyrical elements, while others were more technically demanding.