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 and Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s most famous sonata is without a doubt the Moonlight Sonata.
Urtext Primo – A new concept for the beginner
Edition with German and English Commentary
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition, anthology)
Item no.: 498364
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401407
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 279909
Russische Musik der Moderne
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 108824
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 601765
für Flöte und Klavier
for: Flute, piano
Item no.: 269076
op. 38
for: Cello, piano
Item no.: 630406
for: Organ
Item no.: 201971
pour le viollon et pour le clavecin
Volume 1: Sonata I (d), Sonata II (D)
for: Violin, harpsichord
Score, Parts
Item no.: 272287
op. 8
for: Cello
Item no.: 124388
For Flute and Piano, Op. 23op. 23
for: Flute, piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 228791
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 205443
with marked and unmarked string parts
revised edition
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 486507
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 187950
Russische Musik der Moderne
Revidierte Neuauflage 1998
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 108789
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 731386
Revised edition, 1994
includes audio demonstration and accompaniment tracks
for: Flute, piano
Music score, online playback
Item no.: 638505
A sonata for two clarinets - one in Bb and one in A.
for: 2 clarinets
Ensemble score
Item no.: 279855
Great Performer's Edition
for: 2 violins
2 Performance scores
Item no.: 318084
für Violine, Violoncello und Basso continuo (ausgesetzt)
for: Violin, cello, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 672421
with marked and unmarked string part
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 609741
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 315684
Prüfungsliteratur
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 366845
for: Double bass
Music score
Item no.: 479077
for flute and piano
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 404287
bearbeitet für Cembalo
for: Harpsichord
Music score
Item no.: 671306
for: Classical guitar
Music score
Item no.: 198510
für präpariertes Klavier
Maro Ajemian gewidmet
for: Piano
Score
Item no.: 381843
Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 300923
for: Bassoon, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 577000
for: Piccolo, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 349266
Revised Edition 2006
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 444015
für zwei Klaviere zu vier Händen
for: 2 pianos
Ensemble score
Item no.: 662763
Edition includes both solo parts
for: Clarinet [viola], piano
Piano score, Solo parts
Item no.: 431030
for: Clarinet
Item no.: 286198
für Flöte und Bc
for: HOLZBLASINSTRUMENTE QUERFLÖTE QUERFLÖTE UND KLAVIER
Item no.: 446857
1-3, D 384, 385, 408
Urtext der Neuen Schubert-Ausgabe (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 116944
Wiener Urtext Edition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 343320
with marked and unmarked string parts
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 401526
with marked and unmarked string parts
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 160710
Edition Schott
for: Descant (soprano) recorder [violin], piano
Music score
Item no.: 729706
for: Cello [viola], piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 649837
Three Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord (Piano)
Edition Peters Urtext
for: Flute, harpsichord [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 379001
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Clarinet (B-flat), piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 617093
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 389049
Edizione critica
for: Harpsichord [piano]
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 160070
BWV 1001–1006
for: Violin
Music score
Item no.: 378868
Henle Urtext Editions
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1317312
for: Oboe, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 493027
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