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: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 460895
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 181051
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 165582
for: 3 Saxophone (SAB/SAT)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 431250
for: 2 saxophones
Item no.: 164525
for: Piano
Book (critical commentary)
Item no.: 745372
op. 1
for: 2 Blockflöten (SA)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 106934
Ausgabe für Viola
for: Viola, piano
Klavierpartitur, Stimme
Item no.: 619025
for: 2 flutes, piano
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 165591
HWV 359b, 379
for: für Flöte und Basso continuo
Item no.: 113826
for: Flute, piano [harp]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 553710
from Trattenimenti armonici da camera. Opera prima (Modena 1700)
for: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 553788
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 549514
op. 3
for: Klavier (Cembalo) und Flöte (Violine)
Item no.: 549968
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 585814
for: Bass trombone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1277112
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276988
for: Alto saxophone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276987
for: Horn (F), organ [piano]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276983
for: Euphonium, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276981
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276970
for: Horn (E-flat), piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276966
for: Cello, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276956
for: Tenor saxophone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276860
new critical performing edition at the cutting edge of Beethoven scholarship
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 690278
Nach den Concerti grossi
for: Treble recorder, harpsichord
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413470
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 859304
for: FL FAG BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419045
für Violoncello und Basso continuo (Bc ausgesetzt)
Il violoncello solo - Sonaten und Kammermusik
for: Cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 672247
pour 2 flûtes traversières
Archivum Musicum 28
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Music score (reprint)
Item no.: 456895
for: Flute [violin], piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 394951
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 143114
für Viola da Gamba und B.c. oder andere Instrumente
Sonaten I-III
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 571548
Das Blockflötenrepertoire
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413699
Klassik
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 340678
op. 67
for: Clarinet, piano
Item no.: 176852
Band II: Sonate IV: g-moll, V: Es-dur, VI: F-dur
for: Oboe [recorder/ violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 297750
Sonaten 7-9
for: Cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 200545
for: Piano
Item no.: 605313
(aus: Musicalische Divertissements, Teil IV)
for: 1. Violine (1. Oboe), 2. Violine (2. Oboe), Basso continuo (Cello (Fagott), Cembalo)
Score, part
Item no.: 621632
für Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine) und Bc
for: Recorder, basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 200498
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 418900
for: 2 trombones (B) [tenor horns]
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 648001
Violine und Cembalo oder Klavier
for: STREICH- UND ZUPFINSTRUMENTE VIOLINE VIOLINE UND KLAVIER
Item no.: 194207
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 475746
pour flûte traversière et Bc facsimile
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score (facsimile)
Item no.: 664454
L'arte del flauto
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419191
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