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.
No. 3 F major
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749623
from "Essercizii Musici"
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Cembalo, Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749974
Edition Schott
for: Sopran-Blockflöte (Tenor-Blockflöte) und Basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 754216
Sonatas 4-6
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 754217
Edition Schott
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 723599
for: Cello, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 722515
Hausmusik
for: Flöte (Violine) und obligates Cembalo
Music score
Item no.: 779648
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 1341246
per Violino, overo Traverso Solo, col Continuo
aus: "Der Brauchbare Virtuoso ...", Hamburg 1720
for: Violin [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 4563
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1549206
Band 1: Sonaten 1–4
for: 2 flutes, piano
2 Scores for playing, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1689435
for: Bassoon, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1215568
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597078
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1670488
from the edition of the works for violin solo by
for: Flöte und Klavier (Flöte solo)
Music score
Item no.: 795961
for: Cello, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 759214
aus: "Six Sonates pour le Clavecin ou Pianoforte, avec Accompagnement d’un Violon ou Flute"
op. 16
for: Violin [flute], harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3808
für Violine und Violoncello oder Viola
for: Violin, cello [viola]
Score, Parts
Item no.: 661195
TWV 40:120
eingerichtet für zwei Violoncelli
for: 2 cellos
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2163
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 732162
from "Essercizii Musici"
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 723306
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 5322
nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748954
for: Keyboard
Music score
Item no.: 1655291
Edition Schott
for: Flöte, Violine (Oboe) und Basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 747254
from "12 Sonatas for a Flute with a Thorough Bass"
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 749656
G Major / E Minor
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 727705
(Set for the ABRSM Syllabus 2015–2016)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 776390
Klassische Meisterwerke – in neuer Gestalt
for: Bassoon, 2 violins, viola, cello
Score, 5 Single part
Item no.: 1340770
from: VI Sonate per la Traversiera, o German Flute, con Basso per Violone, o Cembalo, London 1728
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 6485
for: Tuba, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597082
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 758462
Edición crítica
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 768885
op. 10/2
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 728734
nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748957
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 726495
Edited from the Text of the Carl Maria von Weber Complete Edition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 723444
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597084
Ed. A. Longo - Sonate 151-200
for: Harpsichord
Music score
Item no.: 1659751
Reprint
Beyond the Waves
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1355868
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759627
Collection Gaspar Hoyos
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 859304
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 775713
for Solo Viola
for: Viola
Music score
Item no.: 739107
for: Bass clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1567548
per Violino, overo Traverso Solo, col Continuo
aus: "Der Brauchbare Virtuoso ...", Hamburg 1720
for: Violin [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 3383
for: Treble recorder, piano
Music score
Item no.: 731384
for: 2 treble recorders, 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 929933
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