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: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 1018376
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 384438
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 380021
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1162510
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Treble recorder (single part)
Item no.: 634585
for: Piccolo, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 769436
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263111
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 389419
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263249
for: 2 flutes, basso continuo
Piano score, single part Basso continuo
Item no.: 1703535
for: 2 trumpets
Item no.: 401562
for: Baroque orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1640588
für Violoncello und Basso continuo
MusicPartner – Klassik zum Mitspielen
for: Cello, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, single part Basso continuo, 2 Playback-CDs
Item no.: 582182
Aus den "Drei Klav. sonaten, op. 46
for: Piano
Item no.: 305514
for: VL KLAR VC
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 205541
for: Piano
Music score (hardcover)
Item no.: 484613
for: Trompete, Kontrabass (POS), Klavier
Score, Parts
Item no.: 443778
for: Flute, piano [basso continuo]
Item no.: 392578
for: Viola, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 420173
Musicalady 3~Komonistinnen Des 18. Und 19. Jahrhunderts
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 298815
Musicalady 6~Komponistinnen Des 18. Und 19. Jahrhunderts
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Item no.: 298814
Chamber Music Of The Seventeenth Century 18
for: 2 VL (SBFL/ZINK) VC (VDG/POS) BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 218527
Musik aus Ostbayern Heft 64
for: Violin, basso continuo
Single part Basso continuo
Item no.: 372650
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 796145
Barocksonaten in Bearbeitung
for: Alto saxophone (E-flat), basso continuo
Single part Alto saxophone, 2 Playback-CDs
Item no.: 660407
for: 2 violins, 2 violas, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 153342
for: Piano
Item no.: 612091
for: 2 Violins and Piano
Book
Item no.: 162656
for: 2 Violins and Piano
Book
Item no.: 162655
for: Flute, oboe, piano
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 150491
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 484853
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 404435
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 404342
for: String orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 458398
Musica Rara
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, 2 ensemble scores
Item no.: 414252
for: 2 Violas and Piano
Book
Item no.: 162917
for: 2 trumpets (B-flat), 3 trombones [horn (F) , 2 trombones]
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1667603
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 925358
for: Cello
Score
Item no.: 305931
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 282791
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 243667
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 471141
for: String orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1351858
for: Harpsichord [organ]
Score
Item no.: 1044061
for: Violin, piano
Score
Item no.: 265175
for: Flute, basso continuo
Book
Item no.: 292814
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Single part(n)
Item no.: 420832
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