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: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 743497
Edition Schott
for: Flöte, Violine (2. Flöte, Oboe) und Basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 723433
No. 2 D Minor
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749622
from "Essercizii Musici"
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Cembalo, Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749973
for: Clarinet (a), piano
Music score
Item no.: 739577
Edition Schott
for: Bassoon, piano
Music score
Item no.: 748108
Edition Schott
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 731370
No. 2 A Major
for: 2 violins, cello, double bass
Score
Item no.: 752375
nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748951
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 796660
for: Piano
Piano score
Item no.: 1562161
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1562162
for: Flute, viola, harp
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1664110
Edition Schott
for: Flute, guitar
Score, part
Item no.: 755192
Nach dem Notentext der Hindemith-Gesamtausgabe
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 729622
Edition Schott
for: Violine und Basso continuo; Cembalo (Klavier), Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 733078
Edition Schott
for: Violine und obligates Cembalo
Music score
Item no.: 749979
from: Méthode de Clarinette
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Music score
Item no.: 760186
Edition Schott
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 733404
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1670008
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749012
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 754441
for descant recorder and basso continuo
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 741294
D minor
Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, playback-CD
Item no.: 1672102
"Sonata facile"
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 737648
Edition Schott
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Cembalo/Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749959
für Trompete, Violine, 2 Violen, Violoncello und Basso continuo
Edition Immer
Reihe I: Werke aus Kremsier
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1351520
"Pastorale"
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748909
for: Viola
Music score
Item no.: 834033
op. 1
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 1350891
Southern Music
for: Horn
Music score
Item no.: 817050
Edition Schott
for: Oboe
Music score
Item no.: 749585
for: Piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 929602
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1056925
Schott Piano Classics
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 727608
2 Trompeten, 2 Posaunen
for: Brass Quartet & Piano (Organ)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1664806
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355348
aus den 12 Sonaten für Klarinette und Basso Continuo bearbeitet für drei Klarinetten
for: 3 clarinets (trio)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1659689
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 1689781
Band 1: Sonaten 1–4
for: Flute, clarinet (B-flat), piano
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 1346464
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1669071
Edition Schott
for: Althorn in Es (Waldhorn oder Alt-Saxophon) und Klavier
Music score
Item no.: 754908
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748968
for: Marimba
Music score
Item no.: 1023252
for: Trumpet, trombone, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 781004
Edition Immer
Reihe I: Werke aus Kremsier
for: Trumpet, organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1351469
Beethoven's Last Piano Sonatas 2
An Edition with Elucidation
for: Piano
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 888235
Edition Schott
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine), Violine und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749618
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