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: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], guitar
Score, solo part
Item no.: 394483
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Item no.: 367682
for: 2 pianos
Ensemble score
Item no.: 769400
for: Violin, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 351838
Zwei Sonaten für Orgel und Orchester (Sammelband, Urtextausgabe) (Collection, Urtext)
for: Organ, orchestra, basso continuo
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116475
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 353960
for: 2 Sopran-Blockflöten und Klavier
Score, Parts
Item no.: 354316
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 282615
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 143114
for: 4 flutes (quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 301514
in F minor, A major, C major
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 656597
for: Treble recorder [flute], basso continuo
Item no.: 206419
for: 2 Trumpets, 2 Tenor- and Bass Trombone
Book
Item no.: 132600
4. Sonate (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 129634
Trauermarsch (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 125098
for: ABFL (OB/FL/VL) BC
Item no.: 225767
for: 2 trombones [euphoniums] (bass clef)
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 648011
for: 2 trombones (B) [tenor horns]
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 648001
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with French and Spanish Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 640884
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 630906
for: Flute, cello
Set of parts
Item no.: 1031059
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1022560
for: Piano
Item no.: 605313
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 418900
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 143747
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413699
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 817436
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 198215
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 603216
for: 2 violins, cello, double bass
Score
Item no.: 281713
for: 3 melodic instruments, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281618
Edition without fingering
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 696698
for: Violin [oboe], oboe, basso continuo
Score, Parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 122193
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 200349
for: Treble recorder [flute/violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 122128
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 207310
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 159746
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 378470
for: Tenor-Blockflöte, Cembalo
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 117694
for: Flute, violin
Ensemble score
Item no.: 285900
for: 2 SBFL (FL/OB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 140616
for: Treble recorder [flute], basso continuo
Item no.: 414200
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 179459
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1702644
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 1715356
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 284707
for: 3 trombones
Item no.: 225992
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 359691
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