One of the most important forms of classical music is without a doubt the sonata. The meaning of the term “sonata”, which is derived from the Italian word “sonare” which means “to sound” or “to play”, has changed considerably over time. Browse our sheet music and scores, grab your all your favourites, and find out more about the sonata here today!
The term “sonata” derives from the second half of the 16th century, and refers to different types of instrumental compositions for two or more instruments. The term came about to distinguish the sonata from solo pieces for keyboard instruments, and from pieces with singing, such as cantatas.
The main difference between the baroque sonata and the classical sonata is the number of movements, the baroque sonata has at least four or more, in which slow and fast tempos alternate regularly. The baroque sonata is divided into two basic types:
Sonata da camera (“Chamber Sonata”) – which has a light dance character and is the predecessor of the baroque dance suite.
Sonata da chiesa (“Church sonata”) – which is usually in four movements and has a more serious character.
Depending on the size of the line-up, Baroque sonatas can be further subdivided into Solo Sonata for one instrument (usually violin) and basso continuo, and Trio Sonata for two solo instruments and basso continuo.
One of the most well-known composers of the Baroque sonata is the Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). Both the Church Sonatas by Corelli and the Chamber Sonatas by Corelli are still very popular with instrumentalists and listeners today.
At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the sonata da chiesa gradually evolved into what is known as the Neapolitan overture, where the introductory slow movement has been removed. The result was a three-movement form, with the tempo structure fast-slow-fast within each movement, which became the model not only for the classical sonata, but also for many other musical forms.
The Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) contributed a great deal to the development of the sonata. The Sonatas by Scarlatti were usually composed in the traditional sonata form, a one-movement work with two contrasting themes.
During the Classical period, the sonata continued to develop and evolve. At that time, the term “sonata” was mainly understood to mean Piano Sonatas, or sonatas for another solo instrument with piano accompaniment. In its basic form, a classical sonata consists of three, or occasionally four movements, where the first fast movement is written in ’sonata form’, the second movement is slower, and the third movement is usually fast again, and can take various forms.
In a four-movement sonata, a dance movement in the form of a minuet or a scherzo is usually inserted before the last movement. The greatest exponents of the sonata were arguably three composers of the first Viennese school, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart " 1972" text="Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s most famous sonata is without a doubt the Moonlight Sonata.
for: 2 flutes [violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 1575
for: Violin, piano [harpsichord]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1713915
for: Trumpet, trombone, organ
Organ score, Parts
Item no.: 648008
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1714323
for: Descant (soprano) recorder [flute/oboe/violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 421180
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 256356
for: Treble recorder, violin, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 150272
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 272671
for: Cello, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part, Playback-CD
Item no.: 185822
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1026782
Band 2
for: Flute
Ensemble score, 2 CDs
Item no.: 660406
for: Horn (F), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 462150
for: Trombone [euphonium], piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 427602
for: 2 trumpets, organ
Organ score, Parts
Item no.: 348911
for: 2 cellos
Score, Parts
Item no.: 661736
Collection Maurice André
for: Piccolo trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 199041
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 756173
for: Violin [flute], piano
Item no.: 285863
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, 2 ensemble scores
Item no.: 414252
for: Viola, piano
Item no.: 285667
No. 13 from "15 Sonate da camera"
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 743608
Edition Schott
for: Fagott (Violoncello) und Klavier
Music score
Item no.: 735777
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 667422
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 259214
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 388689
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263302
for: Violin and Cembalon
Buch
Item no.: 604902
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 329423
for: 2 guitars
Ensemble score
Item no.: 242208
for: 2 violins, cello [harpsichord]
Score
Item no.: 263108
for: Piano
Music score (anthology)
Item no.: 266373
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 195034
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 256921
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1010536
for: Piano
Item no.: 284694
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1629798
for: 2 Violins and BC
Score
Item no.: 263103
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 256482
Edition Schott
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 731443
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 255571
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 394790
for: 2 flutes, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 394738
for: Flute [treble recorder], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 394579
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 394553
for: Trompete, Klavier (oder Orgel)
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 226430
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 154837
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 154703
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 147661