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: Viola, piano
Item no.: 613315
with marked and unmarked string part
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 609741
with marked and unmarked string part
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 692286
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts, CD
Item no.: 669553
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 244752
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 113172
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 107971
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1558758
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 292345
for: Violin
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 613329
for: Flute; piano ad lib.
Piano score, solo part, online audio (playback)
Item no.: 898531
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 674541
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 395205
for: Piano
Music score (Hardcover, Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1549906
new critical performing edition at the cutting edge of Beethoven scholarship
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
3 music scores (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 690272
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408335
Edition Schott
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 743375
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 777891
for: Violin, viola
Ensemble score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 294547
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 109015
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 129123
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 354860
Volume 1 (Sonata 1-3)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 200342
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401525
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score, online playback
Item no.: 580779
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 287791
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 643503
for: Organ
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 369760
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 125010
for flute and piano
Based on the sources
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 486277
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 379002
for: Viola
Music score
Item no.: 287812
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 115969
with marked and unmarked string parts
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401526
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano [harpsichord]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401167
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 131499
für Klavier
teilweise ergänzt, mit Fingersätzen
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 661658
für zwei Altblockflöten (Flöten/Oboen) und Bc (Bc ausgesetzt)
Band 1 (Nr. 1-3)
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 660991
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413503
for: 4 guitars (quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419161
Pour la Flûte Traversière, avec la Basse
Plaisir de la Flûte
Collection Pierre Paubon
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 298704
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 296882
1726 edition
L’Art de la Flûte Traversière, 14
for: Flute, basso continuo
Music score (reprint)
Item no.: 427813
for: Flute, violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 628023
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 393368
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 282751
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 602228
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