During the seventeenth century, the term sonata was used to distinguish instrumental music from vocal music such as the cantata. Most Baroque sonatas were chamber music: music for a small group of instrumental players, typically three or more movements, often in a fast-slow-fast movement sequence. This music was written for enjoyment of the players, amateur musicians from the merchant and noble classes. Chamber music performances usually took place at home.
The Sense of Hearing | Philippe Mercier, c. 1689-1760 | Most solo and trio sonatas were written for home music making. | Yale Center for British Art
Solo Sonata
During the Baroque, the sonata used basso continuo as accompaniment. The most popular sonata forms were the solo sonata and trio sonata. The solo sonata was written with two lines of music: a solo instrument such as violin or flute and bass continuo. Depending on instrumental resources, the performance could involve two or three performers:
Two players if the basso continuo is played on a single instrument such as lute.
Three players if the basso continuo is divided between a bass instrument such as cello and a chord playing instrument such as harpsichord.
We'll listen to the first movement from a solo sonata by the great German composer Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767).
Sonata in G Major TWV 41: G4 | Georg Philipp Telemann | First Movement: Cantabile (3:12)
Telemann's works include church music, oratorios, and an immense amount of instrumental music, especially sonatas.
Trio Sonata
The trio sonata was written with three lines of music: two solo instruments such as oboe or flute and bass continuo. Depending on the instrumental resources, the performance could involve three or four performers:
Three players if basso continuo is played on a single instrument such as lute or harpsichord.
Four players if the basso continuo part is divided between a bass instrument such as bassoon and a chord playing instrument such as lute or guitar.
Our trio sonata example is by Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713), an Italian violinist and composer of the middle Baroque. He was pivotal in development of the sonata and concerto and helped establish the violin as a stable of instrumental ensembles.
Trio Sonata in D minor Op. 3 No. 5 | Arcangelo Corelli | Five Movements: Grave, Andante, Allegro, Largo, Allegro (6:23)
The Music Lesson | Gerard ter Borch (1617-81) | Music lessons were in demand among the middle class and nobility during the Baroque. | J. Paul Getty Museum
Vocabulary
sonata, solo sonata, trio sonata, Georg Philipp Telemann, Arcangelo Corelli
••
