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.
op. 6/2
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Cembalo/Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
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nach dem UrtextHob. XVI:34
for: Piano
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L'arte del flauto
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
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for: Violin
Music score
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Volume 08
for: Violin and Ensemble
Score
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pour Flûte seule
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Music score
Item no.: 238565
facile - easy - leicht
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Score
Item no.: 310623
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 240261
Clarinette Et Piano - Astree
for: Clarinet, piano
Book
Item no.: 213553
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 238406
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 388429
Classique Flute Nr. 02
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 238275
für Soprano und Trombon overo Violeta
for: VL (FL/OB) POS (VDG/VC)
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 611381
für Flöte und Gitarre
for: Flute, guitar
Score, solo part
Item no.: 674049
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 367504
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1558759
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 617085
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Item no.: 130691
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 360608
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401344
Sonaten 1-3
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 418211
5 Sonaten
for: 2 trumpets [tenor horns], bass trombone [tuba]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 665758
Ludwig van Beethovens letzte Klaviersonate Takt für Takt
for: Piano
Book (softcover)
Item no.: 773528
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine), Violine und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Item no.: 420823
Neuausgabe
Edition Schott Einzelausgabe
for: Piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 356099
Camera Flauto Amadeus 116
for: Flute, basso continuo
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for: Cello, basso continuo
Item no.: 493561
HWV 361, 368, 370
for: Violin, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 378720
for: Violin, piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part
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aus „Der getreue Music-Meister“ (1728)
Musica Rara
for: Oboe, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 279312
Volume IV: sonatas 10-12
for: Treble recorder [flute], basso continuo
Piano score, 2 solo parts
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for: 2 double basses
Ensemble score
Item no.: 394599
Book 1: Sonatas 1-3
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes/violins]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 392880
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 247824
KV 282 (189g)
for: Piano
Item no.: 401507
op. 2/1-3
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 169401
Perahia-Ausgabe
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1551832
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
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Organ Works in 9 Volumes
Edition Peters Green Series
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 360095
für Violoncello und Basso continuo
for: Cello, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
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for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 165580
for: 2 Violoncelli and Piano
Book
Item no.: 163751
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score
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for Viola and Piano
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: 2 Violas and Piano
Book
Item no.: 162948
for: 2 pianos
Music score
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for: 2 pianos
Music score
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