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.
Zwei Sonaten für Orgel und Orchester (Sammelband, Urtextausgabe) (Collection, Urtext)
for: Organ, orchestra, basso continuo
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116475
Book (softcover)
Item no.: 190452
for: Piano
Ensemble score
Item no.: 215716
for: 2 pianos
Ensemble score
Item no.: 769400
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 674024
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 144590
for violin or flute and basso continuo
Urtext
for: Flute [violin], basso continuo
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 115325
for: Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon (wind quintet)
Score
Item no.: 358306
Edition Peters Green Series
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 383378
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 382334
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 284707
for: Klarinette, FAG
Score, Parts
Item no.: 306370
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 401437
Volume I
1768–1785
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401292
from the baroque and classical periods
arranged for 2 clarinets
for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score (anthology)
Item no.: 621666
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 223190
for: Piano
Music score, online audio
Item no.: 1678143
for: für Flöte und Basso continuo
Item no.: 113826
for: für Flöte und Basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 190686
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 143114
for: Violin, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 207296
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 456786
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 620980
for Flute (Violin), Harpsichord and Violoncello ad libitum
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Flute [violin], basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 177234
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 143747
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 133540
for: Harpsichord
Music score
Item no.: 389114
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 165553
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 158037
for: 2 saxophones
Item no.: 164525
for: Piano
Book (critical commentary)
Item no.: 745372
for: 3 Saxophone (SAB/SAT)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 431250
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with French and Spanish Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 640884
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 603216
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 581610
for: Klavier (Cembalo) und Flöte (Violine)
Item no.: 549968
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Item no.: 549789
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 549514
for: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 553788
for: Flute, piano [harp]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 553710
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 553650
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Item no.: 549898
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597084
for: Tuba, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597082
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597078
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272242
for: Violin, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272188
for: Alto saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272182
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