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: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 191368
Vol. 2: Sonata A flat major Hob. XVI/46) – Landon 31
Performing Edition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 239530
The Bartók Performing Editions-Instruktive Ausgaben von Béla Bártok
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 771806
for: Cello
Music score
Item no.: 622584
for: Violin
Buch + CD
Item no.: 471903
for: Oboe [flute/violin], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 122140
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 550009
Volume 3: Sonata C minor Hob. XVI/20 – Landon 33
Performing Edition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 239531
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 389049
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 256308
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 388953
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 193252
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 378868
op. 110
for: Clarinet
Music score
Item no.: 732979
for: Bassoon, piano
Item no.: 475543
for: 2 VL VDG (VC) BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 602103
Herausgegeben für die Internationale Johann Wilhelm Wilms Gesellschaft
for: Piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 606277
Heft 4
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 418218
Heft 3
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 418217
L'arte del flauto
for: Flute, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 418119
Murray RWV E1-E4
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 149093
für Violine (Zink) und Bc (Bc nicht ausgesetzt)
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 661315
Venezia 1620
for: Violine (Kornett oder Alt-Blockflöte) und continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 585346
MusicPartner - Klassik zum Mitspielen
for: Violin, piano
Piano reduction, solo part(s), CD
Item no.: 609147
Erstausgabe
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 175767
Collegium Musicum - Kölner Reihe Alter Musik
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 620622
Edition Schott
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 747659
for: Organ
Score
Item no.: 615245
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 379108
for: Violin
CD
Item no.: 133886
for: Violin [treble recorder/flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 2872
for: 3 flutes (trio)
Sheet music
Item no.: 2752
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 202008
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 144346
for: 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba (quintet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 315174
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 763442
for: Cello, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 622569
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 316323
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 208179
for: Violin [flute], cello [bassoon]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 3440
for: Flute, Viola and Guitar
Score, Parts
Item no.: 343173
for: 2 Violas and Piano
Book
Item no.: 404586
for flute and piano
Allowed reprint (1928, Chester, London)
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 677566
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 696701
The Late Sonatas
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 745297
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 187582
for: Cello
Item no.: 287816
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 428184
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