Scarlatti's sonatas were not widely popular in the 19th century, only gaining recognition when Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann began including them in their recitals around 1838.
Compositional Technique
The experimental nature of Scarlatti's sonatas is attributed to his freedom from seeking popularity or commercial profit, as he composed them for the Queen.
Composition History
Domenico Scarlatti composed around 555 sonatas, but only thirty were published during his lifetime.
Composition History
Scarlatti's sonatas were primarily written for Maria Barbara, his pupil and patroness, who became Queen of Spain.
Instruments
Some of Scarlatti's later sonatas demand a keyboard range of at least five octaves, leading to speculation that he might have anticipated the modern piano.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scarlatti's sonatas reflect Spanish folk music and rhythms, incorporating elements like flamenco, castanets, and guitars, while retaining Italian influences.
Composer Biography
Domenico Scarlatti, the composer of these sonatas, was born in 1685, the same year as J.S. Bach and Handel.
