I love this quote by Scarlatti which I've read in many a liner note: Reader, Whether you be Dilettante or Professor, in these Compositions do not expect any profound Learning, but rather an ingenious Jesting with Art, to accommodate you to the Mastery of the Harpsichord. It was not self-interest or ambition which led me to publish them but obedience. Perhaps they may please you, in which case I may more willingly obey further commands to gratify you in a simpler and more varied style. Therefore show yourself more human than critical, and then your Pleasure will increase. Vivi felice.
There are currently more and more excellent recordings of Alessandro Scarlatti (Domenico's father), and it is likely that, in the coming years and decades, will happen to him what happened already to Vivaldi and, more recently, to Zelenka : a resurrection ! He really deserves it.
While I really like Alessandro Scarlatti (he was a master composer), I consider his music to be a bit too recherché for average listeners who aren't baroque freaks and I really doubt whether he would generate the same degree of interest and excitement as Vivaldi or Zelenka.
Thanks, Dave, for this delightful foray into Scarlatti. I discovered Scarlatti in college via Fernado Valenti''s Westminster series, some of which found their way into my collection. He plays a modern instrument, perhaps a Pleyel, with many "bells and whistles." To this day, I haven't found a HIP harpsichordist who rivals Valenti's perrussive rhymic snap and lilt, suggesting Spanish guitar music. Speaking of Pleyel instruments, let's not forget Landowska's equally snappy and charming Scarlatti (EMI). Of course, I enjoy Scarlatti on period instruments, too, as well as on the modern piano. Such an entertaining composer!
I have recently retired... and I have kept the habit of getting up very early in the morning... the gong in your overflow room wakes me up a little more... thank you, I also wanted to tell you that the sonata K 87 by D. Scarlatti with Ivo Pogorelich was used, I remember, as ballet music for a ballet by the Grand Ballets Canadiens whose title I no longer remember... music coupled with Chopin's nocturne op 48 no 1 as an introduction
Oh yes such a pleasure that’s almost impossible to think you’ll ever get your head around. Oh Horowitz here, I was listening after one of your earlier videos, you just have to hold your hands up! Sometimes things really are that special
Skip Sempés Scarlatti is greatly enjoyable as well. And I like it that you only refer to him as Scarlatti. The father on the other hand needs the forename.
Apart from his keyboard sonatas, there are at least two excellent vocal works by Domenico Scarlatti, deserving to be better known : his Stabat Mater for 10 voices, and his Salve Regina in A major (his last work).
The Baroque is a bit like understanding a language, if you don't understand the language you won't really get it what it's all about. My love of "Classical music" actually started with Bach's Brandenburg concertos and I gradually branched out to much later music but the Baroque has always remained my first love and I can listen to the Harpsichord for hours! I've even learnt to play the Treble recorder later in life and can play Sonatas and belong to a Recorder group.
Two of my favorite piano Scarlatti discs are by Babayan and Sudbin (the first of his two recordings). I’m going to check out several of the harpsichord recordings you highlighted here. Thanks!
I love this quote by Scarlatti which I've read in many a liner note:
Reader,
Whether you be Dilettante or Professor, in these Compositions do not expect any profound Learning, but rather an ingenious Jesting with Art, to accommodate you to the Mastery of the Harpsichord. It was not self-interest or ambition which led me to publish them but obedience. Perhaps they may please you, in which case I may more willingly obey further commands to gratify you in a simpler and more varied style. Therefore show yourself more human than critical, and then your Pleasure will increase. Vivi felice.
There are currently more and more excellent recordings of Alessandro Scarlatti (Domenico's father), and it is likely that, in the coming years and decades, will happen to him what happened already to Vivaldi and, more recently, to Zelenka : a resurrection ! He really deserves it.
While I really like Alessandro Scarlatti (he was a master composer), I consider his music to be a bit too recherché for average listeners who aren't baroque freaks and I really doubt whether he would generate the same degree of interest and excitement as Vivaldi or Zelenka.
Thanks, Dave, for this delightful foray into Scarlatti. I discovered Scarlatti in college via Fernado Valenti''s Westminster series, some of which found their way into my collection. He plays a modern instrument, perhaps a Pleyel, with many "bells and whistles." To this day, I haven't found a HIP harpsichordist who rivals Valenti's perrussive rhymic snap and lilt, suggesting Spanish guitar music. Speaking of Pleyel instruments, let's not forget Landowska's equally snappy and charming Scarlatti (EMI). Of course, I enjoy Scarlatti on period instruments, too, as well as on the modern piano. Such an entertaining composer!
I have recently retired... and I have kept the habit of getting up very early in the morning... the gong in your overflow room wakes me up a little more... thank you, I also wanted to tell you that the sonata K 87 by D. Scarlatti with Ivo Pogorelich was used, I remember, as ballet music for a ballet by the Grand Ballets Canadiens whose title I no longer remember... music coupled with Chopin's nocturne op 48 no 1 as an introduction
Oh yes such a pleasure that’s almost impossible to think you’ll ever get your head around. Oh Horowitz here, I was listening after one of your earlier videos, you just have to hold your hands up! Sometimes things really are that special
I particularly enjoy Mario Tippo's Scarlatti. I'll have to check out Horowitz' recording.
Skip Sempés Scarlatti is greatly enjoyable as well. And I like it that you only refer to him as Scarlatti. The father on the other hand needs the forename.
Apart from his keyboard sonatas, there are at least two excellent vocal works by Domenico Scarlatti, deserving to be better known : his Stabat Mater for 10 voices, and his Salve Regina in A major (his last work).
His "Madrid" Mass for 4 voices is also very good.
The Baroque is a bit like understanding a language, if you don't understand the language you won't really get it what it's all about. My love of "Classical music" actually started with Bach's Brandenburg concertos and I gradually branched out to much later music but the Baroque has always remained my first love and I can listen to the Harpsichord for hours! I've even learnt to play the Treble recorder later in life and can play Sonatas and belong to a Recorder group.
I learned to play the recorder when I was writing my book on Handel. It was great fun. I suck at it.
Curious to know how many CDs you have and what is the best shelving system you think there is ?😂
This has already been discussed. I have no idea how many CDs I have.
Two of my favorite piano Scarlatti discs are by Babayan and Sudbin (the first of his two recordings). I’m going to check out several of the harpsichord recordings you highlighted here. Thanks!