Despite a uniform binary form structure, Scarlatti's sonatas are highly inventive in evoking different moods, characters, and musical styles.
Composition History
Domenico Scarlatti composed 555 keyboard sonatas, which would take over two days of constant playing to perform completely.
Historical Context
Domenico Scarlatti followed Princess Maria Barbara of Portugal to Madrid in 1733 when she married into the Spanish royal family, influencing his later sonatas.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scarlatti's preface to his first 30 published works concludes with the simple message, 'Vivi felice' ('Live happily').
Composition History
The entire collection of Scarlatti's sonatas was likely written for his patron and friend, Princess Maria Barbara of Portugal.
Composer Biography
Domenico Scarlatti, the composer, was born in 1685, the same year as J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Performer Biography
Emanuil Ivanov, the pianist on this album, won First Prize at the 2019 Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition.
