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.
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
3 music scores (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1615876
The Middle Sonatas
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 868762
aus "50 Sonate per due violoncelli Libro secondo"
Sonaten und Kammermusik für Violoncello
for: 2 cellos
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 1629133
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582650
"Genzinger"
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582649
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582652
Recorder Library
for: 2 treble recorders, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1613370
nach der Sonate für 2 Violinen op. 69
for: Violin, viola
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1613222
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1613223
for: 2 guitars
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1613235
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1566669
In Fa Min.
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1566418
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1566417
9 complete piano sonatas with background information, performance advice and musicianship activities
for: Piano
Music score, online audio
Item no.: 1565202
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1215033
for: Bassoon, basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 1563117
for: Bassoon, basso continuo
Score, part
Item no.: 1563115
für Pianoforte in fünf Sätzen
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1562740
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1562721
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 1562575
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1544273
("Sonate da Camera" with the famous Follia Variations)
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1560667
for: Violin, piano [guitar]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1559867
for: harp; violin, cello ad lib.
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1559189
Vol. 2: Sonatas 7–12
Set of parts
Item no.: 1559257
Vol. 2: Sonatas 7–12
Score
Item no.: 1559202
Vol. 1: Sonatas 1–6
Score
Item no.: 1204098
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 1558992
Nach den Quellen - Op. 12, op. 23, op. 24 Band 1
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1558945
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1558758
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1557445
for: Harpsichord
Music score
Item no.: 1557384
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1557039
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1556858
aus "Six Sonates"
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1531354
aus "Six Sonates"
for: Viola da gamba, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1531349
Op. post. 147 - D 575
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1552160
for: Harpsichord
Music score
Item no.: 1556574
KV 292 (196c)
for: Bassoon, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1556213
KVb 292 (196c)
for: Bassoon, strings
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1556239
for: Bassoon, strings, harpsichord
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1556230
Neuausgabe nach den Autographen (Urtext)
for: Viola, piano
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 1556137
(2019)
for: Cello, guitar
Music score
Item no.: 1556019
Le Sonate dalle WoO 47 all'op. 13
Volume 2
for: Piano
Book
Item no.: 1556007
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1555868
für Cello (Viola) und Orgel
for: Cello, organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1555846
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1553048
Bearbeitung der "Sonata per violoncello solo"
exempla nova 630
for: Double bass
Music score
Item no.: 1552497
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