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.
nach dem Streichquartett G-Dur op. 77 Nr. 1 / Hob. III: 81
for: Flute, piano
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for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
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(2010/2011)
for: Piano
Music score
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Wq. 132
for: Flute
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op. 31
for: für Violoncello
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Henle Urtext Editions
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
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for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 582834
for: Treble recorder, harpsichord
Ensemble score, solo part
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for: Cello, piano
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für Flöte und Klavier
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
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(Tempest)
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
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for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Piccolo, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Treble recorder [flute/violin], basso continuo
Score, part
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for: Organ
Music score
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for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
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for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 354109
for: Treble recorder [flute/violin], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 418806
K. 159 (Longo 104)
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1964
aus "Operum Musicorum Posthumorum, Pars Prima"
Nürnberg, 1643
for: 2 violins [cornetts], viola da gamba [trombone], organ
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4533
K. 55 (Longo 355)
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 4614
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 446082
pour flûte et basse (clavecin ou piano)
Plaisir de la flûte: Œuvres originales et transcriptions
for: Flute, piano [basso continuo]
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for: Violin, guitar
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Maders kleine Musikbibliothek
for: Flute [violin], harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 551023
for: VA 2 HRN VC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 442669
für Viola bearbeitet
for: Viola
Ensemble score
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– ohne Aussetzung des B.c. –
for: Violin [recorder], basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
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for: Flute, basso continuo
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Fontana Di Musica Heft 68
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for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
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for: Violin, piano
2 Performance scores
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transkribiert für Klarinette und Fagott
(Orig. in B für Fagott und Violoncello)
for: Clarinet (B-flat), bassoon
Score, parts (pdf download)
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for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, Solo part (pdf download)
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aus: "Modo per imperare a sonare di Tromba", Frankfurt 1638
for: Trumpet (C), basso continuo [organ]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4320
für Klavier
teilweise ergänzt, mit Fingersätzen
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 661663
Klassik
for: Cello and Harp
Book
Item no.: 643231
aus: "Modo per imperare a sonare di Tromba", Frankfurt 1638
for: Trumpet (C), basso continuo [organ]
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4195
for: Woodwind ensemble
Score, Parts
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for: 2 flutes [violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 1575
op. 52 (2014)
Sound Research of Women Composers: Contemporary Music (C 344)
for: Double bass, piano
Score, Parts
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K 398
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 4819
No. 4-6
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
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for: FL VL VA BC
Score, Parts
Item no.: 123292
Hamburger Ratsmusik 6
Bc nicht ausgesetzt
for: Violin, viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
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