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.
Edition Peters Green Series
for: 2 pianos
Music score
Item no.: 359445
Three Sonatas attributed to J. S. Bach
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401306
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 393367
Edited from the sources and provided with commentary and fingering
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 261159
for flute and piano
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 165277
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 279339
for: 2 violins
Parts (2)
Item no.: 197845
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 288122
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 287814
for: 2 flutes, piano
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 388478
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 444015
for: Flute [treble recorder], basso continuo
Score, Parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116299
for: Piano 4 hands [2 pianos]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 279892
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 366845
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 401538
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401308
for: Violin, piano [harpsichord]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401166
(Spring)
marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401128
for: Piano
Item no.: 401118
Edition Immer
Reihe I: Werke aus Kremsier
for: Trumpet, organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1351469
Band III: Sonate VII: B-dur, VIII: Es-dur, IX: B-dur
for: Oboe [recorder/ violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 303121
for: 2 Violas and Basso Continuo
Book
Item no.: 601827
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 605028
Estratte da "Concerti ecclesiastici a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 8 voci"
for: 2–4 melodic instruments
Score, Parts
Item no.: 484919
Periodenbau und Taktordnung in Menuett, Sonate und Sinfonie
Studien und Materialien zur Musikwissenschaft 89
2 Books (Hardcover)
Item no.: 661085
for: 3 clarinets (trio)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 643140
Sibley Nr. 22 & Nr. 26
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 603730
for: 2 violins, viola (trio)
Item no.: 134500
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 770766
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, online audio (playback)
Item no.: 1019212
for: Flute
Solo part, Playback-CD
Item no.: 290240
London, B1 Ms. Add. 31501, I
Tastata – Opere d'intavolatura d'organo e cimbalo
for: Harpsichord [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 764559
for: STREICH- UND ZUPFINSTRUMENTE HISTORISCHE INSTRUMENTE ZWEI GLEICHE UND KLAVIER
Item no.: 637845
30 Sonaten für Viola da gamba und Basso continuo
(Basso continuo nicht ausgesetzt)
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 684496
No. 2 A Major
for: 2 violins, cello, double bass
Score
Item no.: 752375
for: Flöte und Cembalo (Klavier)
Music score
Item no.: 754427
Edition Schott
for: Oboe
Music score
Item no.: 749585
for: Trombone, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 199048
für Tasteninstrument
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Item no.: 274699
for: Piano
Item no.: 302987
for: 2 trumpets (C), 2 violins, organ, cello [double bass/bassoon]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 5775
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 4110
for: Violin [flute], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 3353
Szonáta
for: Cello
Music score
Item no.: 255950
D minor
Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, playback-CD
Item no.: 368212
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 884900
for: Cello or 2 Celli and Piano
Score
Item no.: 411454
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 256035
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