What is a trio sonata?
Q: What is a trio sonata?
A: A trio sonata is a type of music for four instruments which was very popular during the 17th and 18th centuries, also known as the Baroque period. It is written for three voices (three parts) and can be played by three different instruments.
Q: How many players are typically involved in playing a trio sonata?
A: Four players are typically involved in playing a trio sonata - two upper voices that share the same musical themes, often imitating one another, and an accompaniment usually played by two instruments such as a cello or bass viol and keyboard instrument like the harpsichord. The harpsichord player's left hand notes make up the third part of the trio.
Q: Who wrote some of the best trio sonatas?
A: Arcangelo Corelli wrote some of the best trio sonatas. His collection numbered opus 1 and 3 were called "sonata da chiesa" with four movements finishing with a fugue, while his op 2 and 4 were "sonata da camera" type with each movement being a kind of dance.
Q: What other composers wrote trio sonatas?
A: Other composers who wrote trio sonatas include Tomaso Albinoni, Henry Purcell, Dieterich Buxtehude, George Frideric Handel, Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Pachelbel and Antonio Vivaldi.
Q: Did Bach write any pieces that could be considered as trio sonatas?
A: Yes - Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a piece called The Musical Offering for violin, flute and continuo which could be considered as a trio sonata. He also wrote six organ trios which were played by one player using their hands on different manuals (keyboards) to sound like two different instruments while their feet play on pedals for the third part; these works can also be played by other instruments such as two violins and cello with harpsichord. Additionally he composed several pieces for one melodic instrument (normally violin or flute) plus harpsichord which are effectively trios but not labelled so explicitly.
