Soler: Sol de mi fortuna, Sonatas from the Morgan Library

Featuring

Diego Ares
Padre Antonio Soler

Did you know?

1/7

Instruments

The harpsichord used for this recording was made by Joel Katzman in Amsterdam in 2009, modeled after a Sevillian harpsichord attributed to Francisco Pérez Mirabal from 1734.

Compositional Technique

Antonio Soler developed four rules for 'hectic' modulation, which he published in his 1762 book Llave de la modulación (Key to modulation).

Composer's Artistic Vision

Antonio Soler, the composer, had a special listener for his harpsichord improvisations: his cat, which would react strongly to harmonious or chaotic playing.

Composer Biography

Antonio Soler, a Spanish composer, was known as 'the Devil dressed as a monk' due to his virtuosity.

Composition History

The manuscript acquired by the Morgan Library in 2011 is the richest collection of sonatas by Antonio Soler, a Spanish composer, with 29 of its 43 sonatas previously unknown.

Performer Biography

Diego Ares, the harpsichordist on this album, has had his previous recordings of Soler and Scarlatti highly acclaimed by the press, receiving awards like Diapason d'Or.

Historical Context

Antonio Soler's sonatas on this album were likely composed before he was ordained a priest, during the reign of music-loving monarchs Ferdinand VI and Maria Bárbara of Braganza in Madrid.