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: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 198514
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 274086
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 256612
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 186479
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1022560
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 462149
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1021601
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1031728
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1031095
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 265548
for: Flute, cello
Set of parts
Item no.: 1031059
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413699
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 273948
Edward Tarr Collection
for: Trumpet (D), piano
Item no.: 1351628
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 321456
Triosonaten für Violine, Viola da gamba und Cembalo
for: Violin, viola da gamba, harpsichord
Score, Parts
Item no.: 684270
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 404193
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 198215
for: Violin and Cimbalon
Buch
Item no.: 112339
for: Violin, guitar
Item no.: 130289
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, playback-CD
Item no.: 491060
for: Brass ensemble (8 voices)
Score
Item no.: 353295
(Facsimile)
for: Cello, basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 357694
for: Piano [harpsichord] four hand
Ensemble score
Item no.: 289053
for: Piano
Music score (anthology)
Item no.: 411130
for: 2 flutes [violins]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 409253
for: Soprano saxophone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1295463
for: Piccolo, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1567556
for: Bass clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1567548
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1297323
for: Viola, piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1297309
for: Bass clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287663
for: Treble recorder, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287660
for: Baritone saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287654
for: Trumpet or Cornet & Piano (Organ)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287653
for: Horn (F), organ [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287651
for: Horn (E-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287650
for: Cornet (E-flat), piano [organ]
Piano score, solo part, playback-CD
Item no.: 1287649
for: Tuba, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287645
for: Tuba (B-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287614
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with French and Spanish Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 640884
from the baroque and classical periods
arranged for 2 clarinets
for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score (anthology)
Item no.: 621666
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 674024
Zwei Sonaten für Orgel und Orchester (Sammelband, Urtextausgabe) (Collection, Urtext)
for: Organ, orchestra, basso continuo
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116475
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 419206
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 603216
for: Violin [flute], harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3808
for: Violin [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 4563