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: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 769371
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582650
Fingering and bowing for Violin: Eugène Ysaÿe
for: Violin
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 362805
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 108789
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, 2 solo parts
Item no.: 645983
Camera flauto Amadeus 122
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 186378
Bärenreiter Urtext
previously 16,50 € (save 70 %)
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 648451
Edited from the sources
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 155616
Edition includes both solo parts
for: Clarinet [viola], piano
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 431030
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 155799
1-3, D 384, 385, 408
Urtext der Neuen Schubert-Ausgabe (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116944
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 294004
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 601765
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582652
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with German and English Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition, anthology)
Item no.: 498364
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 279909
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 194575
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 585815
for: 2 melodic instruments (C), basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 340386
National Edition - Miniature Edition
for: Piano
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 684120
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 684621
for: 2 violins
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 499293
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 265340
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 630393
for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 288600
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 796413
Edition Schott
for: Descant (soprano) recorder [violin], piano
Music score
Item no.: 729706
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 198510
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 687596
Edition without Fingering
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 664057
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1479710
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 661684
with marked and unmarked string parts
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401516
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 559755
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, Solo parts
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for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 197618
with marked and unmarked string part
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 664646
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401144
Nach Autographen und Erstausgaben
Band 1 (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 125028
for: Harp
Music score
Item no.: 583134
Edition for Violoncello and Piano
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 331283
for: Recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 330372
for: Cello, piano
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for: Flute, piano
Music score, online audio
Item no.: 614927
for: BFL BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 345493
for: Piano
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for: Bassoon, piano
Piano score, solo part
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