D. Scarlatti: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 30

Featuring

Rixiang Huang
Domenico Scarlatti

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Composition History

Scarlatti's pivotal role at the royal court of Portugal, serving Queen Maria Bárbara, allowed him to explore his musical ideas and blend Italian and Spanish traditions.

Interpretation

Modern performers of Scarlatti's sonatas increasingly favor refined interpretations that emphasize musical nuance over sheer virtuosity through speed, despite similar actual speeds in his Andante, Allegro, and Presto tempi.

Composer's Artistic Vision

In the preface to his 'Essercizi per gravicembalo', Scarlatti described his compositions not as profound learning, but as "an ingenious Jesting with Art" to help master the harpsichord.

Compositional Technique

Scarlatti's sonatas often feature the acciaccatura, or 'crushed note', creating percussive effects reminiscent of guitar chords or castanets, reflecting Iberian influences.

Composer Biography

Domenico Scarlatti, the composer, was the son of the esteemed composer Alessandro Scarlatti, who instilled in him an early appreciation for musical complexity.

Performer Biography

Rixiang Huang, the pianist on this album, is a critically acclaimed Steinway Artist and winner of top prizes at prestigious competitions, including the Chopin International Piano Competition.

Compositional Technique

Scarlatti produced over 500 keyboard sonatas, divided into the Parma and Venice collections, which exhibit extraordinary variety in binary form and push the boundaries of tonal exploration.