About the composer
Domenico Scarlatti
- Years of life
- 1685–1757
- Period
- Baroque
An Italian Baroque composer and harpsichordist who served the Portuguese and Spanish courts. He is especially known for single-movement keyboard sonatas.
Explore their musicLife and music
Domenico Scarlatti was born in Naples and worked in various European centers. His mature years were associated with the Portuguese and Spanish courts and with his pupil, Maria Barbara. His numerous single-movement keyboard sonatas are particularly well known. They were created in the world of the harpsichord, although today they are widely played on the piano.
What the music sounds like
The sonatas feature recurring notes, hand crossings, leaps, and bright rhythmic figures. Many pieces have a two-part structure with repetitions. Pianistic brilliance coexists with subtle work on motifs, pauses, and harmonic surprises.
What to listen for at the piano
Notes for independent practiceAnalyze each half of the sonata by motifs and harmonic cadences. Find comfortable movements in leaps and hand crossings. Maintain clear articulation; add the pedal only where it does not interfere with the texture.
Music in our catalogue
Open a score and start practising
Sources and further reading
Biographical information is checked against the materials listed here. The performance notes are editorial guidance from Vibe Piano.