Description
Domenico Scarlatti is widely regarded as one of the great piano composers in music history and the first true piano virtuoso. This collection features 24 sonatas from various creative periods, providing a comprehensive survey of the rich and diverse output of this Italian musician who served at the Spanish court. Scarlatti's compositions triumphed over the heavy Baroque style through their characterful themes, natural cantabile melodies, and dance-like movements. A distinctive element of his one-movement sonatas is the performance-technical challenge, which for the first time in piano music required the interpreter to cross hands and execute wide leaps. Renowned pianist Bengt Johnsson offers insights into Scarlatti's life, career, and the sources used for this edition in the preface. Additionally, a few sonatas appear in print here for the first time, and the collection includes a reprint of a 1738 preface to an edition of 30 of Scarlatti's piano sonatas - an absorbing read for those seeking a deeper understanding of Scarlatti's piano works.
