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: 4 flutes (quartet)
Item no.: 241565
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1170151
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 695008
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 474881
op. 1
Sonaten 5–8
for: Recorder [flute, violin, oboe], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 175935
Performers' Facsimiles 251 (Faksimile) (Facsimile)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 581469
für 2 Altblockflöten und Bc
Trio in c-Moll
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 160177
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 443223
for: Euphonium, piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220211
for cello and piano
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 163528
Neuausgabe nach dem Erstdruck von 1725
for: 3 treble recorders
Ensemble score
Item no.: 418532
for: 2 oboes
Item no.: 446996
Band I
for: Treble recorder [flute/violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 578101
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 292199
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 738181
B minor and G minor
for: Oboe [flute/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 749581
Edition Schott
for: Flute [violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 723205
Edition Schott
for: Flöte (Violine) und obligates Cembalo (Klavier)
Music score
Item no.: 723113
for: Piano 4 hands
Music score
Item no.: 727367
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725017
Edition Schott
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 730702
Mozart / Haydn / J.Chr. Bach / Häßler / Wolf
for: Piano 4 hands
Music score
Item no.: 756814
From the Time of Frederick II
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 756762
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1671239
for: Bassoon, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 577811
for: Alt-Blockflöte und Basso continuo; Violoncello ad libitum
Item no.: 420978
for: 4 Hörner in F
Score, Parts
Item no.: 459440
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1346647
from Canzoni e Sonate
The Brass Press
for: 3 trumpets, piano [organ]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 364472
for: für Flöte,Oboe,Klarinette und Fagott
Score
Item no.: 413054
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Item no.: 393432
for: 2 ABFL
Score
Item no.: 176357
for: 8 HRN
Score
Item no.: 601839
for: 2 VL 2 VA (VDG) BASS-VDG ORG
Score
Item no.: 551837
for: 2 VL VDG VC (FAG) BC
Score
Item no.: 339565
for: 2 VL 2 ZINK (BFL) 2 POS (VDG) BC
Score
Item no.: 560288
for: 2 violins [violin, viola], cello, double bass
Score
Item no.: 282546
for: Violin, organ
Score
Item no.: 1560487
for: Trompete in D und Klavier
Item no.: 354882
for: 2 guitars
Ensemble score
Item no.: 694201
for: Guitar
Item no.: 130257
for: Flute, guitar
Score, part
Item no.: 617552
für Fagott und Basso continuo
Universal Fagott Edition
for: Bassoon, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 113747
for: Piano
Item no.: 460712
for: Piano 4 hands
Item no.: 207157
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 420833
for: Flöte, Violine, Viola da gamba (Viola, Violoncello) und Basso continuo
Item no.: 101640
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Item no.: 101568