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: Viola, piano
Piano reduction, Solo part(s)
Item no.: 380211
for: Violin, harpsichord
Score, solo part, audio files (pdf/mp3 download)
Item no.: 674858
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 4605
Edition Moeck 1031
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 413464
(Facsimile)
for: Violin, basso continuo
Music score (reprint)
Item no.: 363787
from the baroque and classical periods
arranged for 2 clarinets
for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score (anthology)
Item no.: 621666
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 133540
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 603216
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Item no.: 549898
for: Piano
Item no.: 356020
for: Guitar
Item no.: 183179
for: 2 Alt-Blockflöten und Klavier
Score, Parts
Item no.: 164235
for: Guitar
Item no.: 290662
for: Piano
Item no.: 184623
for: Flute, cello, piano
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 173164
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part (treble and bass clef)
Item no.: 337518
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 129474
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 553650
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 382334
for violoncello and piano
for: STREICH- UND ZUPFINSTRUMENTE VIOLONCELLO VIOLONCELLO UND KLAVIER
Item no.: 372113
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 625799
for: 2 SBFL (FL/OB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 140616
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 284707
Edition Peters Green Series
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 383378
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 643508
für Flöte und Bc
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 498930
in F minor, A major, C major
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 656597
for: Cello, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 634749
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1702644
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Violine, Flöte) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Item no.: 1701227
for: Piccolo, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 186479
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Item no.: 549789
for Flute (Violin), Harpsichord and Violoncello ad libitum
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Flute [violin], basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 177234
for: Flute, oboe, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 101676
for: ABFL (OB/FL/VL) BC
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for: Oboe, piano
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for: Violin, guitar
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for: 4 flutes (quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 301514
4. Sonate (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 129634
for: Flute, harpsichord
Item no.: 130844
nach der Triosonate d-moll für Orgel
Blockflötenmusik
for: Tenor-Blockflöte, Cembalo
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 117694
for: Flute, piano
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for: Violin and Cimbalon
Buch
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for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
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for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts (Urtext edition)
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for: 2 flutes [violins]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 409253
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