Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata K417 in D minor

A selection from the 600 sontas by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) that illustrate two facets of his musical personality.

CD1 depicts the genius of the composer – some of his greatest and most remarkable sonatas have been selected by Carbonara. These works illustrate the exploratory and innovative nature of the sonatas. CD2 gathers together a selection of sonatas that illustrate the gambler, or the reckless side of the composer. These sonatas are just as innovative as those on CD1, but there is a devil may care craziness to some of the music. These are dramatic extreme works that give some idea of the incredible technique Scarlatti possessed as a player, and of his remarkably fertile imagination.

2CDs of Scarlatti sonatas containing some unknown and rarely recorded works.

New recordings made in 2009.

Extensive booklet essay by the artist on each sonata.

Carbonara has recorded Ravel’s complete piano music for Brilliant Classics, and a CD of piano music by Nino Rota. He studied with Andreas Staier, Alicia de Larrocha and Leon Fleischer.

Rising young Italian star Fabio Grasso has chosen to include all five of the Sonatas which Scarlatti wrote in the form of a fugue, in his selection from the 550 or so available. His intellectual approach to the music (he holds a Doctorate in ancient Greek literature as well!) is well suited to the fugues, but there’s virtuosity aplenty too – try the disc’s final track, marked ‘Presto quanto sia possibile’ – as fast as possible!

Maggie Cole performs on an original Kirckman harpsichord and a modern copy of a Ruckers.