1. Introduction, confession, and apologia -- Part I. The nature of the Baroque sonata -- 2. The meaning of "sonata" -- 3. The uses of the sonata -- 4. The spread of the Baroque sonata -- 5. Instruments and settings -- 6. The structure of the Baroque sonata -- Part II. The composers and their sonatas -- 7. Italy from 1597 to about 1650 -- 8. Italy from about 1650 to 1700 -- 9. Italy from about 1700 to 1750 -- 10. Austria and Germany from about 1615 to 1650 -- 11. Austria and Germany from about 1650 to 1700 -- 12. Austria and Germany from about 1700 to 1750 -- 13. England from about 1660 to 1710 -- 14. England from about 1710 to 1760 -- 15. Other northern countries -- 16. France: Couperin and other pioneers -- 17. France from about 1710 to 1750