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.
(Set for the ABRSM Syllabus 2015–2016)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 776390
Volume 1: Sonatas 1–3
for: Cello, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1642877
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 456786
Volume 2: Sonatas 4–6
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1544010
dedicated to Joseph Haydn
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 581610
The Brass Press
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 462149
“at the end of the century”
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 265548
for: 2 trombones [euphoniums] (bass clef)
Ensemble score, solo parts
Item no.: 648011
for: Bassoon, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1215568
Musica Mundi 3
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 159832
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 775713
for: Violinen (2), Cello, Orgel
Score, Parts
Item no.: 551157
Das Blockflötenrepertoire
for: Treble recorder
Music score
Item no.: 413700
für Flöte und Basso continuo
for: Flute, basso continuo [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 200480
Nr. 7-9
Generalbaßaussetzung vom Herausgeber
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 379511
for: 2 double basses
Item no.: 187760
for: 2 treble recorders, 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 929933
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 930866
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 929763
for: 4 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 929356
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score (reprint)
Item no.: 331432
for: Violin, cello, harp [piano]
Score, Parts
Item no.: 932112
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 770898
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 460895
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 181051
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 165582
for: 3 Saxophone (SAB/SAT)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 431250
for: 2 saxophones
Item no.: 164525
for: Piano
Book (critical commentary)
Item no.: 745372
op. 1
for: 2 Blockflöten (SA)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 106934
Ausgabe für Viola
for: Viola, piano
Klavierpartitur, Stimme
Item no.: 619025
for: 2 flutes, piano
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 165591
HWV 359b, 379
for: für Flöte und Basso continuo
Item no.: 113826
for: Flute, piano [harp]
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 553710
from Trattenimenti armonici da camera. Opera prima (Modena 1700)
for: 2 violins, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 553788
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 549514
op. 3
for: Klavier (Cembalo) und Flöte (Violine)
Item no.: 549968
for: Bass trombone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1277112
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276988
for: Alto saxophone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276987
for: Horn (F), organ [piano]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276983
for: Euphonium, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276981
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276970
for: Horn (E-flat), piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276966
for: Cello, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276956
for: Tenor saxophone, piano [organ]
Music score, Playback-CD
Item no.: 1276860
Nach den Concerti grossi
for: Treble recorder, harpsichord
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 413470
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 859304
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