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.
new critical performing edition at the cutting edge of Beethoven scholarship
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 690278
(Oboe Quartet In F, K. 370)
for: Piccolo, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 691748
Haydn Gesamtausgabe, Reihe XVIII, 3
for: Piano
Book (critical commentary)
Item no.: 745372
Edition without fingering
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 696698
(Set for the ABRSM Syllabus 2015–2016)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 776390
for: 2 pianos
Ensemble score
Item no.: 769400
Band 1: Sonaten I-IV
für Violine und Basso continuo
for: Violin, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 351838
nos. 1-26
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 332796
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 549514
Aus der Zeit Friedrichs II.
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 353960
for descant (tenor) recorder and piano
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 355435
nach op. 16/2
for: 2 Sopran-Blockflöten und Klavier
Score, Parts
Item no.: 354316
for: Brass ensemble (8 voices)
Score
Item no.: 353295
for: Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon (wind quintet)
Score
Item no.: 358306
Schott Piano Classics
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score
Item no.: 358212
nach dem UrtextHob. XVI:36
for: Piano
Item no.: 356020
Volume 1: Sonatas 1–3
for: Cello, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1642877
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Horn (F) [cello], piano
Piano score, 2 solo parts
Item no.: 696019
nach dem Erstdruck herausgegeben
Edition Schott
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 630906
from the baroque and classical periods
arranged for 2 clarinets
for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score (anthology)
Item no.: 621666
(aus: Musicalische Divertissements, Teil IV)
for: 1. Violine (1. Oboe), 2. Violine (2. Oboe), Basso continuo (Cello (Fagott), Cembalo)
Score, part
Item no.: 621632
"Appassionata"
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 620980
for: Bassoon, cello
Ensemble score
Item no.: 620011
für Violine und Basso continuo (Bc ausgesetzt)
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 674024
in F minor, A major, C major
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 656597
for four bassoons and double bassoon (Score, parts)
for: 4 bassoons, double bassoon; harpsichord ad lib.
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 646813
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with French and Spanish Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 640884
for: 3 Saxophone (SAB/SAT)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 431250
for: Violin, basso continuo
Item no.: 401437
Volume I
1768–1785
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401292
Klarinetten-Bibliothek
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 408334
For Violin Solo (Joachim/Moser)
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 404538
Musica Rara
for: Treble recorder [flute], basso continuo
Item no.: 414200
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 404193
aus op. 2
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Item no.: 420958
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Flöte, Violine, Oboe) und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Item no.: 420870
Band 2: Sonaten 3 und 5
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 419242
Sonaten 4-6
for: 2 treble recorders (duet)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 419206
for: Treble recorder [flute/oboe/violin], guitar
Score, solo part
Item no.: 394483
Il Flauto traverso
for: Flute, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 393352
for: Flute, basso continuo
Item no.: 393341
op. 5
for: für Flöte und Basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 190686
Geschichte – Formen – Ästhetik
Bärenreiter Studienbücher Musik 5
Book (softcover)
Item no.: 190452
Musica Rara
for: 2 SBFL (FL/OB)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 140616
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 159746
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 158037
Johann Christian Bachs Klaviersonaten op. V im Spiegel barocker Formprinzipien und ihre Bearbeitung durch Mozart
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 144590
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 143747
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