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.
aus: Huit Sonates pour le Violon et la Basse, op. 2
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 5467
for: 2 Fagotte (Violoncelli)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 779936
for: Piano 4 hands
Music score
Item no.: 723128
Edition Schott
for: Double bass, piano
Music score
Item no.: 736817
Edition Schott
for: Cello, piano
Score, part
Item no.: 744188
Edition Schott
for: Cello
Music score
Item no.: 743837
Edition Schott
for: Viola d'amore, piano
Music score
Item no.: 733739
für Klarinette und Klavier, KV 8
(Orig. für Violine und Klavier)
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 3227
Seibel 259
for: 2 oboes [2 violins], bassoon [cello]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4685
Edition Schott
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Klavier, Cembalo); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 727151
aus "Six Sonatas or Solos", op. 1
London, 1707
for: Treble recorder [violin], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 4605
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748970
Edition Schott
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749725
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597084
for: Tuba, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597082
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1597078
for: Bassoon, piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220236
for: Bass trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220228
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220221
for: Horn (E-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220214
for: Trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220212
for: Trumpet [cornet], piano [organ]
Sheet music, Download (mp3)
Item no.: 1220107
for: Viola, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663269
for: Double bass, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663267
for: Soprano saxophone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663264
for: Euphonium, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272134
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272242
for: Violin, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272188
for: Alto saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272182
for: 4 clarinets
Sheet music
Item no.: 1607637
for: 2 Alphorns in Gb & Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271635
Edition Schott
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 723599
Sonatas 4-6
for: 2 flutes (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 754217
Edition Schott
for: Flute [oboe/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 723261
Revised and fingered
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 732421
op. 34/2
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 729815
No. 2 A Minor
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 737126
op. 34/3
for: 3 Melodie-Instrumente (Violinen, Flöten, Oboen) oder Streichorchester und Basso continuo (Cembalo, Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba, Fagott) ad libitum
Stimmensatz V I [Fl/Bfl]; V II [Fl/Ob]; V III [Fl/Ob]; Vc [Vagb/Fag]
Item no.: 756856
a Violino o flauto traverso col basse per l’organo, op. 6
Bruxelles, 1731
for: Violin [flute/oboe], basso continuo
Score, parts, audio files
Item no.: 3542