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.
Volume 1 (Sonata 1-3)
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 200342
Musica Allegra 16
for: Cello, piano [2 cellos]
Item no.: 326836
for: Flute, guitar
Score, Parts
Item no.: 170315
for: FL OB-DAMORE (VL) BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 418041
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 175707
pour 2 violons et la basse continue parties
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 632320
Edition Schott
for: Flöte (Tenor-Blockflöte, Oboe, Violine), Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 748144
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 354860
Edited from the edition Paul Hindemith. Sämtliche Werke by Luitgard Schader
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 754625
for Violoncello and Piano (2nd Violoncello)
for: Cello, piano [2 cellos]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 664663
Edition Schott
for: 2 bassoons
Music score
Item no.: 723063
for: Violin, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 304639
for: Cello, piano
Score, part
Item no.: 225143
for: Cello, piano
Score, part
Item no.: 192501
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 348479
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1551892
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 637431
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 292345
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 129123
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 113172
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 497450
"The Roots, (A Tale Sonata)"
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1556995
for: Clarinet [Flute, oboe], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408359
for: Flute [violin], basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 194702
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 5749
for: 2 violins [recorders/cornets], basso continuo
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4654
for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 4516
for: Trumpet (C), basso continuo [organ]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 3364
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408335
for: Guitar
Item no.: 130489
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 378897
for: Flute; piano ad lib.
Piano score, solo part, online audio (playback)
Item no.: 898531
for: 2 pianos
Score
Item no.: 167270
for: Violin
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 613329
for: Violin, viola
Ensemble score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 294547
for: 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (quintet)
Ensemble score (C)
Item no.: 417799
for: Piano
Music score (Hardcover, Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1549906
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 379002
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 244752
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 125010
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 124498
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1558758
for: 2 treble recorders [2 flutes], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 297801
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano [harpsichord]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401167
for: Piano
Score
Item no.: 381843
for: BFL VL BC
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413485
Heft 2
Sonaten B-Dur und g-Moll
for: Treble recorder, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 419257
for: Flute, guitar
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 135406
© 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
