trio sonata

Most important form of Baroque chamber music. It was usually written for two violins (or viols) to play the melodies, and a cello (or bass viol) to play the continuo bass line. An additional continuo player was also needed to fill in the harmonies on a keyboard instrument (harpsichord or organ), which actually meant that four players were needed. At the end of the 17th century it developed into the sonata da chiesa and the sonata da camera (see sonata). Notable examples include those by Françoise Couperin, George Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, Arcangelo Corelli, and Henry Purcell.