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.
Vol. 3: Sonaten 13–18
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 1202228
Vol. 2: Sonaten 7–12
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 1202211
KV 282
for: Bläserquintett und Kontrabass
Score, Parts
Item no.: 429268
Klassik
for: Violin [or Flute] and Continuo
Score
Item no.: 238648
F.Xiii-47 - Tomo 491
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263201
F.Xv-3 - Tomo 490
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263200
F 13/33 T 398
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 263115
Partitura
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 259324
Klassik
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 269501
for: String orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 459978
for: Trumpet, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1354955
for: String orchestra
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 672454
Puer Natus In Bethlehem
for: 2 VL VDG (POS) BC
Score
Item no.: 132511
für Trompete, zwei Violinen, zwei Violen und Basso continuo
Laudate Dominum in chordis et organo
for: Chamber ensemble
Score, Parts
Item no.: 205671
Reihe Musica Retiosa
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, solo part
Item no.: 378264
Testo, contesto, interpretazione
Book
Item no.: 777865
Testo, contesto, interpretazione
Repertori Musicali. Storia, analisi, interpretazione 5
Book
Item no.: 774540
Contesto, testo, interpretazione
Repertori Musicali. Storia, analisi, interpretazione 6
Book
Item no.: 773882
Raccolta di sonate e studi di autori classici
for: Guitar
Score
Item no.: 1044060
Sonata per viola e pianoforte
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 773477
Genere, forma, espressione Volume 1
Serie diretta da Guido Salvetti
sotto gli auspici del Beethoven-Haus di Bonn
for: Piano
Book
Item no.: 962414
Le Sonate dall’op. 14 all’op. 31 Vol. 3
Le Sonate per pianoforte di Beethoven
Serie diretta da Guido Salvetti
sotto gli auspici del Beethoven-Haus di Bonn
for: Piano
Book
Item no.: 962388
Le Sonate dalle WoO 47 all'op. 13
Volume 2
for: Piano
Book
Item no.: 1556007
Le Sonate tra l'op. 53 e l'op. 81a
Book
Item no.: 1027146
(with Alla Turca)
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401473
A collection of sonatas selected by Keith Snell.
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 296219
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 273586
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 557946