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.
Horn, Euphonium & Klavier (Organ)
for: Horn & Euphonium
Sheet music
Item no.: 593263
Horn, Posaune & Klavier (Organ)
for: Horn & Trombone
Sheet music
Item no.: 593262
Flute & Klavier (Organ)
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 593246
Trompete & Klavier (Organ)
for: Trumpet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 593178
for: 2 Alphorns in Gb & Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271635
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
für Trompete und Klavier
for: Trumpet, piano
Item no.: 229038
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 192684
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 271323
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 271312
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 271308
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 271303
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 269420
for: 2 Trumpets, 2 Tenor- and Bass Trombone
Book
Item no.: 132600
Trauermarsch (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 125098
for: Double bass
Music score
Item no.: 164508
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 216626
für Violine und Basso continuo (Bc ausgesetzt)
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 674024
aus "12 Cello Sonatas" op. 2
for: Cello, Basso continuo, Cello
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 117110
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 159746
Musica Rara
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 179459
For Violin Solo (Joachim/Moser)
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 404538
For two flutes and piano
for: 2 flutes, piano
Book
Item no.: 165593
for: 2 violins [violin, viola], piano
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 162672
for: Violin, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 207296
(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
Movement 1
for: 9 Flöten und Kontrabass
Score, Parts
Item no.: 587064
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
Sonaten 4-6
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 419206
Musica Rara
for: 2 SBFL (FL/OB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 140616
op. 10
for: für Flöte und Klavier
Item no.: 113403
for: Bassoon, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1215568
Musica Mundi 3
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 159832
for: 2 Violas and Piano
Book
Item no.: 404299
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 775713
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Item no.: 549898
Volume I
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 603475
Musica Antiqua Bohemica 63
for: Piano
Ensemble score
Item no.: 215716
Nach dem Erstdruck herausgegeben
Camera flauto Amadeus
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 498922
for: Violinen (2), Cello, Orgel
Score, Parts
Item no.: 551157