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: 2 cornets [trumpets/ oboes], bassoon, string orchestra, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 210960
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, 2 ensemble scores
Item no.: 414252
Sonata in D major Wq 83 | Sonata in E major Wq 84
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 696391
for Clarinet and Pianoforte
op. 112 - Urtext
for: Clarinet, piano
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 635697
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 285624
for: Viola, piano
Item no.: 285667
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 395168
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 376099
No. 13 from "15 Sonate da camera"
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 743608
Edition Schott
for: Fagott (Violoncello) und Klavier
Music score
Item no.: 735777
for: Piano
Music score, CD
Item no.: 776614
for: Treble recorder, harpsichord
Item no.: 393281
for: Treble recorder, guitar
Score, part
Item no.: 394510
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 176237
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 669287
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 667422
Urtext Edition without fingering
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 664048
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 304753
for: Piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 395180
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 1566539
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 282775
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 282600
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 211288
for: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 282619
for: 2 violins, cello, harpsichord
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304525
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 282602
for: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 149190
for: Violin, cello, harpsichord [piano]
Score, Parts
Item no.: 304502
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 316263
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 486510
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 255734
for: Flute, piano; cello ad lib.
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 198204
for: Flute, guitar
Score, part
Item no.: 255923
for: 2 violins
Ensemble score
Item no.: 197894
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 486923
for: Flute, violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 311936
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 256408
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 198159
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 163753
for: 2 Violins and BC
Score
Item no.: 263103
for: Bassoon [cello], basso continuo
Score, solo part
Item no.: 614788
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 688581
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 255958
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 256482
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 389112
The Bartók Performing Editions
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 197533
for: FL (OB/VL) OB (VL) VC (FAG) BC
Score
Item no.: 261917