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: Clarinet, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 590144
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1257
Edition Schott
for: Oboe [flute/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 720968
from op. 5
for: Treble recorder, piano
Music score
Item no.: 741999
from "Méthode de Clarinette"
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score
Item no.: 735672
for: Violoncello (Viola, Flöte) und Gitarre
Partitur
Item no.: 137131
from op. 40
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 754273
for: Treble recorder
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 301847
Edited from the sources
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 491373
The Finest Sonatas & Suites
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score (anthology)
Item no.: 621667
for: Flute, basso continuo
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in E minor and G major
for: Bassoon, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 212592
for: Clarinet, piano
Item no.: 131406
for: Trumpet, 2 violins, basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 770619
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
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Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 696693
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
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Piano score, solo parts (C/B-flat)
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for: Cello [viola], piano
Piano score, solo part
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(Longo n.57/93/366/383/424)
trascrizione per fisarmonica a bassi scialti di Alessandro Di Zio
for: Accordion
Music score
Item no.: 254605
aus: Musicalische Divertissements, Teil IV
for: Flute, violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 628024
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 467654
for: 2 VL VDG (VC) BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 580762
suivies d'un nombre de pièces
for: 2 cellos [viole da gamba/bassoons]
Score (facsimile)
Item no.: 465233
für Klavier und Violoncello
Louise Farrenc Kritische Ausgabe Band 7
for: Cello, piano
Score, solo part
Item no.: 148362
Die auf dem Clavier spielende Cæcilia
8 Sonaten
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 696966
for: Mandoline und Basso continuo
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for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
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for 2 Treble Recorders and Continuo
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
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for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Piano
Ensemble score
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Music score
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Music score, CD
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(Urtext)
for: Piano
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for: VL (FL/OB) FAG (VA/VDG/VC) BC
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 608596
for: Violin, basso continuo
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[CD:Cembalo-Begleitung zur Solostimme]
MusicPartner - Klassik zum Mitspielen
CD
Item no.: 385784
for: 2 violins, cello, double bass
Score
Item no.: 281714
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (anthology)
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for: Treble recorder
Music score, Playback-CD
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for: Violin
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for: 2 violins
2 Performance scores
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for: Trumpet (B-flat), piano
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for: 4 bass recorders
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for: 2 violas
Ensemble score
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for: Trumpet (B-flat) [horn (B-flat)], piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part
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