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.
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano [harpsichord]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401167
Edition Schott
for: 2 bassoons
Music score
Item no.: 723063
Edition Schott
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 750012
for: Trumpet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 593191
Edited from the edition Paul Hindemith. Sämtliche Werke by Luitgard Schader
for: Flute, piano
Music score
Item no.: 754625
Edition Schott
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749503
Edition Schott
for: Flöte (Tenor-Blockflöte, Oboe, Violine), Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 748144
Edition Schott
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 743375
for: Trumpet (C), basso continuo [organ]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 3364
for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 4516
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 5749
for: 2 violins [recorders/cornets], basso continuo
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4654
for: Organ
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 369760
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.: 115969
for: Viola
Music score
Item no.: 287812
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 287791
for: Viola, piano
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 659384
for: Piano
Music score (Hardcover, Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1549906
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 131499
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 379002
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 125010
with marked and unmarked string part
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 609741
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 395205
new critical performing edition at the cutting edge of Beethoven scholarship
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
3 music scores (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 690272
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 108825
The four authentic Sonatas
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, parts (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401239
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 292345
for: 2 treble recorders [2 flutes], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 297801
for: Clarinet [Flute, oboe], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408359
for: Viola, piano
Item no.: 613315
for: Violin, viola
Ensemble score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 294547
for: BFL VL BC
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413485
with marked and unmarked string parts
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401526
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 109015
for Violoncello and Piano (2nd Violoncello)
for: Cello, piano [2 cellos]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 664663
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 637431
Testimony of the friendship between M. Haydn und W. A. Mozart
for: Violin, viola
Parts (2)
Item no.: 694873
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 414276
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
(Urtext)
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 284887
Denkmaeler Der Tonkunst In Oesterreich 153~Dtoe 153
for: Violin, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 131824
Sonate Nr. 3 für Orgel
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 666046
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