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.
pour 2 violons et la basse continue parties
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 632320
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 348479
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1551892
"The Roots, (A Tale Sonata)"
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1556995
for: 2 pianos
Score
Item no.: 167270
for: 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (quintet)
Ensemble score (C)
Item no.: 417799
for: Trumpet (C/B-flat), organ [piano]
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 419443
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 378897
Heft 2
Sonaten B-Dur und g-Moll
for: Treble recorder, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419257
for: Horn (F), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 300409
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 817348
for: Piano
Score
Item no.: 381843
for: Flute, guitar
Score, Parts
Item no.: 170315
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 664169
Edition Schott
for: 2 bassoons
Music score
Item no.: 723063
Edition Schott
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 750012
for: Trumpet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 593191
Edited from the edition Paul Hindemith. Sämtliche Werke by Luitgard Schader
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 754625
Edition Schott
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749503
Edition Schott
for: Flöte (Tenor-Blockflöte, Oboe, Violine), Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 748144
for: Trumpet (C), basso continuo [organ]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 3364
for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 4516
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 5749
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 414276
Testimony of the friendship between M. Haydn und W. A. Mozart
for: Violin, viola
Parts (2)
Item no.: 694873
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 637431
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part, Playback-CD
Item no.: 134374
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1317312
for: 2 violins [recorders/cornets], basso continuo
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4654
for Violoncello and Piano (2nd Violoncello)
for: Cello, piano [2 cellos]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 664663
for: Viola, piano
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 659384
for: Clarinet [Flute, oboe], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408359
for: Guitar
Item no.: 130489
for: BFL VL BC
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413485
for: 2 treble recorders [2 flutes], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 297801
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 113172
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 107971
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 292345
new critical performing edition at the cutting edge of Beethoven scholarship
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
3 music scores (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 690272
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408335
Edition Schott
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 743375
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 777891
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 129123
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score, online playback
Item no.: 580779
with marked and unmarked string part
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 692286
for: Flute; piano ad lib.
Piano score, solo part, online audio (playback)
Item no.: 898531
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 395205
© 2004–2024 by Stretta Music. Order and buy sheet music online.
Your specialist for all kinds of sheet music. Online shop, sheet music, music scores and play along for download, books, music stands, music stand lights, accessories.
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
Worldwide
