I Think I'll Write Another Sonata !

A fine reissue of a recital by pianist Andras Schiff of 15 keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. Famously born in the same year as Bach and Handel, these sonatas of Scarlatti bear comparison with those giants in originality and imagination. They were mainly written once he had left Italy and joined the court Portuguese court where he became master of the Royal Chapel and harpsichord teacher to the King's eldest daughter. When she married the heir to the Spanish throne, Scarlatti moved with her and remained in Spain for the rest of his life. These sonatas were written for Maria Barbara who must have been a very accomplished musician. Scarlatti wrote 555 in all and they have gradually come to light over the centuries from a variey of sources. For this recital, originally from 1989, Schiff plays a modern concert grand rather than a harpsichord or fortepiano. He plays with such taste and skill however, that any thoughts of inauthenticity are soon forgotten and the disk makes for very rewarding listening.