While some of Scarlatti's harpsichord output may date from his Italian years, the majority of his Sonatas were likely written in the Iberian peninsula.
Composition History
Domenico Scarlatti's Essercizi are the only sonatas published under the composer's direct supervision.
Instruments
The harpsichord used for this recording is a 1980 instrument in the Flemish tradition, with two keyboards and plectra made from crow-quill, built by David Jacques Way in Stonington, Connecticut.
Composer Biography
Around age 35, Scarlatti left Italy for the Portuguese court to teach harpsichord to Princess Maria Barbara, later following her to Spain where he lived the rest of his life.
Composer Biography
Domenico Scarlatti, son of the more famous Alessandro Scarlatti, spent the first half of his life in Italy writing church music and operettas, much of which has disappeared.
Compositional Technique
Scarlatti's originality in harmony stems from the music of his adopted country, particularly Andalucian music, which liberated him from the influence of his father and Italy.
Performer Biography
Joseph Payne, a British-born harpsichordist, was a pupil of several great musicians and teachers, including Fernando Valenti and Wanda Landowska, and now tours the world performing over sixty concerts yearly.
