Antonio Soler's sonatas are highly original in their thematic elements and modulations, reflecting his study 'La Llave de la Modulación' (The Key of Modulation).
Compositional Technique
Antonio Soler continuously incorporated elements of popular Spanish music, including dance rhythms and imitations of guitar playing, into his sonatas.
Instruments
Antonio Soler's sonatas were likely written for a harpsichord by Diego Fernández, acquired by Prince Gabriel in 1761, which had five octaves (61 keys).
Performer Biography
Martina Filjak, the pianist on this recording, won first prize in the Maria Canals competition in Barcelona in 2008 and the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 2009.
Composer Biography
Father Antonio Soler, a leading musical figure in 18th-century Spain, entered the Monastery of El Escorial as a monk at age seventeen and remained there until his death.
Composition History
Antonio Soler composed the majority of his keyboard sonatas for Infante Don Gabriel, one of the princes of Bourbon to whom Soler was music master.
Recording & Production
This recording includes the only sonatas by Antonio Soler that were published during his lifetime, given by him to Lord Fitzwilliam and printed in London in 1796.
