Trio sonata

The trio sonata is a genre, typically consisting of several movements,[1] with two melody instruments and basso continuo.

It originated in the early 17th century and was a favorite chamber ensemble combination in the Baroque era.

[4] The second player fills in harmonies above the bass line, using an instrument that can produce chords, such as a small organ, a harpsichord, or a theorbo.

The genre originated as instrumental adaptation of the three-part texture common in Italian vocal music in the late 16th century.

The earliest published trio sonatas appeared in Venice (Salamone Rossi Il primo libro delle sinfonie e gagliarde, 1607) and in Milan (Giovanni Paolo Cima, Sonata a tre for violin, cornett and continuo in the collection Concerti ecclesiastici, 1610).