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.
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725011
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725016
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 758488
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 734243
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 726494
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 739551
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 725112
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 756272
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 723145
Piano Sonata C sharp minor. 1st movement
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 744180
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 738991
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 738510
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725012
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759628
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 725015
for: Cello, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 722515
for: Cello, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 759214
op. 5
for: Violine und Cembalo (Klavier); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad lib.
Music score
Item no.: 758462
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 726495
aus der Kantate "Himmelskönig, sei willkommen", BWV 182
bearbeitet für zwei Blockflöten und Orgel (Klavier)
for: 2 recorders (SA), organ [piano]
Score, part (pdf download)
Item no.: 2208
aus: Six Sonates Pour deux Flutes-traversieres sans Basse, op. 1
for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2855
op. 22
for: Guitar
Sheet music
Item no.: 1127
TWV 40:120
für zwei Flöten oder Violinen
for: 2 flutes [violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2142
aus: Six Sonates pour L'Harmonica qui peuvent aussi servir pour le Piano Forte
Dresden, 1758
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 6038
aus "Operum Musicorum Posthumorum, Pars Prima"
Nürnberg, 1643
for: 2 violins [cornetts], viola da gamba [trombone], organ
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 4417
TWV 40:118
eingerichtet für zwei Altblockflöten
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2311
aus: "Sonate di Gravicembalo"
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3342
TWV 40:120
eingerichtet für zwei Violen
for: 2 violas
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2164
aus: "Petites Sonates a deux Flûtes Traversieres sans Baße", op. 13
Paris, 1726
for: 2 flutes [oboes/violins]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 4516
Stuttgarter Capricornus Ausgabe 26
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 482749
nach der Sonate f-Moll für 2 Violinen, 2 Violen und Bc
eingerichtet für Blockflötenensemble
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part descant recorder
Item no.: 583326
aus: VIII Sonate per cembalo, op. 1
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 5652
TWV 40:118
eingerichtet für zwei Violoncelli
for: 2 cellos [bassoons]
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2312
aus: "Petites Sonates a deux Flûtes Traversieres sans Baße", op. 13
Paris, 1726
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 4517
nach TWV 40:120
eingerichtet für zwei Altblockflöten
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2143
TWV 40:118
für zwei Flöten oder Violinen
for: 2 flutes [violins]
Sheet music
Item no.: 2310
Hob. XVI:G1
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 6001
für Violine und Bass (Violoncello), KV 46d
for: Violin, cello
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 3275
aus: Sechs leichte Klaviersonaten (Nr. 1)
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 4797
nach der Sonate f-Moll für 2 Violinen, 2 Violen und Bc
eingerichtet für Blockflötenensemble SATTB
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part subbass recorder in f
Item no.: 1655499
nach der Sonate f-Moll für 2 Violinen, 2 Violen und Bc
eingerichtet für Blockflötenensemble SATTB
for: 5 recorders (SATTB)
Single part great bass recorder in c
Item no.: 1655500
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 4741
aus: VIII Sonate per cembalo, op. 1
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 6479
Hob. XVII : D1
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Sheet music
Item no.: 2479
aus: "Il terzo libro di varie sonate ... ", op. 12
Venezia, 1623
for: 2 violins [recorders/cornets], basso continuo
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 5286
TWV 40:120
eingerichtet für zwei Violoncelli
for: 2 cellos
Ensemble score (pdf download)
Item no.: 2163
for: Violin, piano
Item no.: 378661
Fragmento fácil
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 311138
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