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.
Set of parts
Item no.: 1204096
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 355880
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 107934
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 243668
for: Violin [flute], cello, harpsichord
Score, Parts
Item no.: 192050
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 780614
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 324198
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part tenor recorder 2
Item no.: 634584
for: Flute [oboe/violin], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 238443
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 644849
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 635699
for: Tuba, piano
Single part(n)
Item no.: 351511
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 678975
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1557445
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 770725
nach der Sonate f-Moll für 2 Violinen, 2 Violen und Bc
eingerichtet für Blockflötenensemble SATTB
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part subbass recorder in f
Item no.: 1655499
for: FL (OB/VL/ABFL) BC
FAKSIMILE
Item no.: 483767
Denkmaeler Der Musik In Salzburg (Faksimile) (Facsimile)
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 362045
Early Ensemble Series 5b
for: 2 violins, cello, piano
Item no.: 363601
for: Harpsichord
Item no.: 459453
for: 4 trombones (quartet)
Item no.: 135119
Tschechische Barockmusik 35
for: Trompete, 2 ZINK (OB), Streicher, Basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 133934
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 349510
Tschechische Barockmusik 11
for: 2 trumpets, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 442521
for: Trumpet
Item no.: 246662
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, 2 solo parts
Item no.: 776914
Fassung für Harfe und Violoncello
Louis Spohr - Gesamtwerk für Harfe
for: Cello, harp
Single part Cello
Item no.: 656488
nach der Sonate f-Moll für 2 Violinen, 2 Violen und Bc
eingerichtet für Blockflötenensemble SATTB
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part great bass recorder in c
Item no.: 1655500
(Facsimile)
for: Cello, basso continuo
Item no.: 341482
Musica Pretiosa
for: Oboe 2 Violinen, Viola, Fagott, (Viola da gamba) Basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 476103
Shumilov Facsimile Collection (Faksimile) (Facsimile)
for: Cello, basso continuo
Item no.: 280703
FUER 2 MANDOLINEN SPIELPARTITUR MIT FAKSIMILE SCHMITT, GERDA, ED.
for: 2 mandolins
Item no.: 656945
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 139951
Maders Kleine Musikbibliothek
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 551103
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 162290
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 174875
Komponistenportraits Band 2
6 Sonaten aus den Sammlungen für Kenner und Liebhaber
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 124354
Performers' Facsimiles
for: FL (1-2) VC
FAKSIMILE
Item no.: 376703
for: FL VL CEMB
Score, Parts
Item no.: 347346
Neun Sonaten für zwei Violinen, Orgel und Violoncello/Bass (Sammelband, Urtextausgabe) (Collection, Urtext)
for: String orchestra, organ
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1655160
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 385094
for: 2 oboes [flutes/ violins], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1646184
Barockmusik für Saxophon
for: Soprano saxophone, basso continuo
Piano score, single part Basso continuo
Item no.: 776875
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 796132
for: 2 violins, 2 violas, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 467935
revidiert, mit Fingersatz versehen und in Form von Suiten geordnet
for: Piano
Item no.: 462777
for: String orchestra
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 459981
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 161904