Domenico Scarlatti: Piano Sonatas

Featuring

Claire Huangci
Domenico Scarlatti

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Interpretation

Pianist Claire Huangci grouped Scarlatti's one-movement sonatas into larger Baroque suites and multi-movement Classical sonatas for this album, a concept she believes Scarlatti would have approved of.

Composer Biography

Domenico Scarlatti was the sixth of ten children of Alessandro Scarlatti, a successful and influential composer who was First Court Kapellmeister in Naples.

Composer Biography

Domenico Scarlatti was appointed organist and composer to the royal court orchestra in 1701 at age 16, under his father's direction.

Composer Biography

Scarlatti was a friend of George Frideric Handel, and they once competed in a friendly contest of harpsichord and organ virtuosity, with Scarlatti winning on harpsichord.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Scarlatti never intended his works to be published or to gain fame, instead composing primarily for himself and his royal pupil, which allowed him creative freedom.

Composition History

Scarlatti composed at least 555 harpsichord sonatas, primarily for his royal pupil and patroness, Princess Maria Barbara de Braganza of Portugal and later Queen of Spain.