Domenico Scarlatti

Two Sonatas

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), was born in Naples and went to Lisbon in 1720, where he was appointed kapellmeister at the court of the King of Portugal, Joao V. Additionally, he was the teacher of infante Maria Barbara whom he followed to Spain in 1729, when she married the Spanish heir to the throne Fernando. It was to Maria Barbara that Scarlatti dedicated his 555 harpsichord sonatas which laid the foundations for his fame. The sonata Longo 33 (b minor in the original) disperses a deep melancholy, its vocal lines can excellently be reproduced with flutes.The same applies to the joyful sonata Longo 23 (e minor in the original): with its echoes of Spanish folklore, it certainly suits the sound of a flute quartet.