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.
für Flöte und Klavier
Arrangiert für Bläserquintett
for: Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon (wind quintet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 681909
Sonaten 4-6
for: Bassoon [cello], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 583357
Transcribed for Vila and Piano
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 301925
CD Sheet Music
for: Violin
CD-ROM
Item no.: 192078
Band 1: Sonaten 1–4
for: Flute, clarinet (B-flat), piano
Piano score, 2 playing scores, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1346465
MusicPartner – Klassik zum Mitspielen
for: Violin, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part, playback-CD
Item no.: 432931
[CD: Continuo-Begleitung zur Solostimme Oboe]
MusicPartner - Klassik zum Mitspielen
for: Oboe
CD
Item no.: 150144
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 487407
for: 2 Violas and Piano
Book
Item no.: 162939
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 165280
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 162203
for: 2 SBFL (VL) VC BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 161554
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 127564
op. 2
for: Harp
Item no.: 553156
op.5
for: Alt-Blockflöte, 2 Oboen, Viole und continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 581022
Sonaten für Klavier und Violoncello op. 39 und 99; Sonaten für Klarinette (oder Bratsche) und Klavier op. 120
for: Violoncello und Klavier, Klarinette (oder Viola) und Klavier
Set of parts
Item no.: 577059
Klassik
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 298509
Sonata-Fantasy
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 665208
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, 2 ensemble scores
Item no.: 195026
for: VC (HRN) KLAV
Item no.: 285614
for: Flute [violin], piano
Item no.: 285804
op. 1/8
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 393332
pour hautbois et piano
for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 330308
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 150562
op. 10
for: Piano 4 hands
Score
Item no.: 292111
for: Viola da gamba
Item no.: 188735
für Fagott und Klavier
for: Bassoon, piano
Piano reduction, Solo part(s)
Item no.: 638979
op.5/4
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 628665
for: 2 violas
Ensemble score
Item no.: 767040
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 282483
Sechs Sonaten
for: Violin, viola
Item no.: 304481
Instrumental Works 2 (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Voice(s), instrument(s)
Score
Item no.: 549524
Band 1
Studien-Edition
for: Piano
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 166642
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 165579
Edition Schott
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 287511
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 393348
for: Violinen (2), Cello, Orgel
Score, Parts
Item no.: 551159
for: 2 VL (VC) BC
Item no.: 327839
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 616002
for: Piano
Item no.: 579790
Ensemble score
Item no.: 614805
for: Violin, guitar
Item no.: 134454
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 419784
for: 2 pianos, percussion
Piano score
Item no.: 197724
Camera Flauto Amadeus 187
for: Treble recorder [flute], basso continuo
Score, solo part
Item no.: 475538
für Querflöte und B.c. (komplett) (complete)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 194101
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 555294