The first movement is in sonata form. The movement has been described as a "stylistic mélange of writing that more closely resembles a fantasy than a formally structured sonata first movement (there is no exposition repeat, for example)."[2]
The second movement, marked Largo con molto espressione, is in B minor and 3/4 time.
The finale is in rondo form and returns to the sonata's home key of F-sharp minor. It is the most technically challenging movement, featuring double thirds and fugal passages.
Joel Lester points out the similarities between this sonata and Schumann's Allegro Op. 8 and Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 11.[3] Schumann said that the work will "alone immortalize his [Hummel's] name."[4]