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, piano
Music score
Item no.: 725498
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725015
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725012
for: Tasten-Instrument (Klavier, Cembalo, Orgel, Clavichord)
Music score
Item no.: 726852
for: Flöte und Klavier, Basso ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 731769
"Les Amusements d'Apollon chez le roi Admète"
for: Flöte (Violine) und Cembalo
Music score
Item no.: 731483
Edition Schott
for: 2 Violinen (Flöten)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 726428
for 2 Violins and Basso continuo
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 726155
Nr. 4-6
for: Flöte (Violine) und Klavier (Cembalo)
Music score
Item no.: 723498
for Violin and Piano
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 750581
Edition Schott
for: Violine und Basso continuo; Violoncello ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 756750
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 756171
for: Violin, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 754311
Edition Schott
for: Violin, viola
Ensemble score
Item no.: 749966
Edition Schott
for: Alt-Blockflöte und Basso continuo; Violoncello ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749700
No. 5-6
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 749674
Edition Schott
for: 2 Alt-Blockflöten und Cembalo (Klavier); Viola da gamba (Violoncello) ad libitum
Partitur und Stimmen Partitur = Cembalo
Item no.: 749654
Edition Schott
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 749346
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748965
nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748952
Nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748903
Edition Schott
for: 2 pianos
Music score
Item no.: 748676
Sonata Vasca - Euskal Sonata
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 743472
Edition Schott
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759683
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759628
original version
for: Flute, oboe, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 759586
da chiesa a tre dell'opera prima
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 747341
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Music score
Item no.: 746560
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Music score
Item no.: 746557
from 12 Sonatas for Violin and B.c.
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 740889
No. 10 A minor
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Violine, Flöte) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 740623
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272347
for: Cello, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272249
for: Clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272244
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272168
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272146
for: Horn, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272137
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272130
for: Oboe, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272125
No. 3 G minor
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Oboe, Violine) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 752300
Edition Schott
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Violine, Oboe) und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 752277
Edition Schott
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 752251
for Violin and Piano
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 743904
for: 2 cellos
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1669376
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663278
for: Bass clarinet
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663265
Edition Schott
for: Violin, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 727616
op. 8/2
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 727554
© 2004–2024 by Stretta Music. Order and buy sheet music online.
Your specialist for all kinds of sheet music. Online shop, sheet music, music scores and play along for download, books, music stands, music stand lights, accessories.
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
