Scarlatti’s Piano Pieces: Baroque Masterpieces Left by the Maestro of Keyboard Sonatas
In 1685, the same year that Johann Sebastian Bach—often called the “Father of Music”—was born, the composer Domenico Scarlatti was born in Naples, Italy.
The son of Alessandro Scarlatti, renowned for his many operas and cantatas, he began his career as a composer and organist at age 15 and is said to have left as many as 555 harpsichord sonatas over his lifetime.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected from Scarlatti’s sonatas those works that are especially beloved by piano students and pianists in performance on the modern piano.
We’ll introduce them along with their musical characteristics.
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[Scarlatti’s Piano Pieces] Baroque Masterpieces Left by the Maestro of Keyboard Sonatas (1–10)
Sonata in D minor, K. 1Domenico Scarlatti
Born in Naples, Italy, and active during the Baroque era, Domenico Scarlatti is known for having left behind 555 harpsichord sonatas.
Among his most popular works, the Sonata in D minor, K.
1, is a single-movement piece written at a fast Allegro tempo.
It expands a simple binary form, using inventive harmonic progressions and performance techniques to create a wide range of colors and textures.
Its deeply plaintive D minor tonality, punctuated by unexpected modulations and rhythmic shifts, captivates listeners.
Passionate yet refined in its beauty, this timeless masterpiece is one that every piano student aspires to tackle at least once.
Sonata in G minor, K. 450Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a genius composer born in Naples, Italy.
He studied music under his father, Alessandro, and in Rome he deepened his connections with leading musicians of the time, even engaging in a friendly contest with Handel.
His 555 sonatas, his most representative works, are both virtuosic and innovative.
Among them, the Sonata in G minor, K.
450, is a passionate and original piece influenced by Spanish folk music.
Marked by a fast tempo and brilliant ornamentation, it demands advanced technique to perform, yet it is a masterwork that lets listeners fully savor the charm of Baroque music—highly recommended for piano students and enthusiasts alike!
Sonata in F major, K. 17Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a composer who epitomizes Italian Baroque music.
His 555 harpsichord sonatas composed over his lifetime are truly a treasure trove for keyboard instruments.
Among them, the Sonata in F major, K.
17, which is very popular with piano learners, stands out for its bright, expansive character.
Playing cleanly through the cascade of notes that leap out in a sprightly rhythm can be quite a demanding task.
However, if you can master the distinctive, ornate embellishments of Baroque music, your expressive range at the piano will expand greatly.
It certainly seems well worth the challenge!
Sonata in C major, K. 159Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti is one of the representative composers of Baroque music, and over 500 of his keyboard sonatas are widely known.
His sonatas are characterized by a bright, lively style and brilliant technique, and the Sonata in C major, K.
159 is a prime example.
Also known as the “Hunting Sonata,” it is notable for rhythms and melodies that evoke hunting horns.
It’s a work that sparks the listener’s imagination—inviting stories suggested by the musical flow and hints of Spanish folk influence.
It’s a captivating piece that every piano student wants to try at least once, so do give it a go in your practice.
Sonata in D minor, K. 9Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a composer born in Naples, Italy, renowned as a master of Baroque music.
Among the 555 harpsichord sonatas he left behind, one of the pieces especially beloved by piano enthusiasts is the Sonata in D minor, K.
9.
This work is captivating for its pastoral atmosphere and memorable for its light, rhythmic character.
Blending Italian sensibility with the influence of the Spanish court, its wistful melodies and vibrant performance deeply move listeners.
Employing unique forms and techniques, this piece can be seen as a crystallization of Scarlatti’s creativity in exploring the piano’s possibilities.
It is a masterpiece highly recommended for those who wish to savor the classical beauty of Baroque music.