Scarlatti: Sonatas

Schmitt-Leonardy, Wolfram

PCL 10250

Born in Italy in 1685, Domenico Scarlatti spent the majority of his career in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families – with the latter appointment enabling him to devote his full attention towards composing for the harpsichord. This unusual cultural background accounts for why the Italian’s music, though contemporary with that of Bach and Handel, differs so much in comparison; Spanish dance rhythms (such as the flamenco), and folk tunes with Moorish and gypsy-like flavours, indicate that day-by-day-street life was a great source of inspiration to Scarlatti. Scarlatti died in 1735 in Madrid.

Written in single-movement form, Scarlatti’s sonatas reveal the development of new playing techniques, including note repetitions and fast passages in parallel 3rds and 6ths, as well as the innovation of musical structures, which point to the emerging Classical style.

This new recording presents some famous and lesser-known sonatas by Scarlatti, a careful selection presenting the many faces of his genius: from careless gaiety and stormy energy to intense lyricism and wistful melancholy.

German pianist Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy is one of the leading pianists of his generation. His concert activities and CD recordings mark him as an extremely intelligent musician with the heart in the right place, his immense technical powers almost being taken for granted. His CD’s of Brahms, Schumann and Rachmaninoff have won him 5 star reviews all over the world: “astonishing and exquisite listening” (Fono Forum), “Electrifying passion and clarity” (Piano News), “dazzling brilliance and interpretative sophistication”(American Record Guide), “Coup de Coeur”(Piano Magazine), “In his recording of Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy achieves a fusion of impassioned ardor and classical textual rigor..a stimulating and compelling listening journey, 9/9” (Jed Distler on Classicstoday.com).

CD

Piano Classics

1.06.2022

5029365102506