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 G minor, K.30 “Cat’s Fugue”Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a master of Baroque music, is renowned for his legendary harpsichord sonata Sonata in G minor, K.
30, affectionately known as the “Cat’s Fugue.” With its unique motifs and unusual harmonies, the piece showcases the composer’s creativity and humor to the fullest.
There is a charming anecdote that the work was inspired when his pet cat walked across the keyboard.
This masterpiece vividly reflects Scarlatti’s distinctive style and greatly influenced later composers.
It is a gem that captures the essence of the Baroque and is highly recommended for everyone studying the piano.
Sonata in A major, K. 208Domenico Scarlatti
The Baroque-era composer Domenico Scarlatti was born in Naples, Italy, and was active at the Spanish court.
Among his works, his 555 keyboard sonatas are particularly popular.
Notably, the Sonata in A major, K.
208 stands out for its gentle, songlike melody.
The distinctive rhythms and harmonies influenced by Spanish folk music are a major attraction of his style.
Written in a free form, it offers a dynamic, almost improvisatory sense of flow.
With its beautiful melodies and high technical demands, this piece has captivated many pianists and is highly recommended for advanced players.
Sonata in A-flat major, K. 127Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian composer who epitomizes the Baroque era.
Renowned for his numerous harpsichord sonatas, his works are characterized by brilliant ornamentation and bold harmonic progressions.
The Sonata in A-flat major, K.127, is a lively piece that reflects Scarlatti’s quintessential style, featuring intricate rhythms and rich chords.
In this work as well, a single theme is varied and developed in multiple ways.
It’s an ideal piece for deepening one’s understanding of Baroque music and is also recommended for piano learners aiming to improve their technique.
Why not savor his unique musicality while enjoying a dazzling performance?
Sonata in E major, K. 380Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a composer who epitomizes Italian Baroque music, is known for having composed as many as 555 sonatas for keyboard.
His Sonata in E major, K.380, captivates with its elegant character, consisting of a lively and energetic Allegro and a gentle, lyrical Adagio.
It is marked by an improvisatory feel, light rhythms, and distinctive harmonies.
Though technically demanding, it remains one of Scarlatti’s signature works, cherished by many performers today for its musical depth.
A masterpiece highly recommended for intermediate to advanced students of piano or harpsichord.
Sonata in A major, K. 322Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti, a master of the Baroque era, was a great composer who left behind as many as 555 harpsichord sonatas.
One of his works, the Sonata in A major, K.
322, is a charming piece marked by a lively, rhythmic character that hints at the influence of Spanish folk music.
Its rich harmonies and buoyant rhythms are invigorating.
This piece showcases the expressive power and beauty unique to purely instrumental music and can be enjoyed on a variety of instruments, such as piano or guitar.
It’s a perfect masterpiece for those new to Baroque music!