At the turn of the century, when Alessandro Longo began editing his 11-volume collection of the keyboard sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti, the legacy of the brilliant composer was still overshadowed by that of his contemporary, Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) is recognized by most scholars and musicians as "the founder of modern keyboard execution" (Grove's Dictionary). His inventive style — most notable in these "essercizi" or sonatas — exercised a powerful influence over later masters such as Mendelssohn ('Songs without Words') and Liszt; in recent years, there has been an unprecedented revival of interest in Scarlatti's compositions both in the classroom and the concert hall.
Now, in this sturdy two-volume set, 78 of Scarlatti's finest keyboard sonatas are available for the first time in an affordable edition — the very best of over 500 keyboard pieces by the master, compiled directly from Longo's monumental 11-volume set.
Written in the last fifteen years of his life while Scarlatti enjoyed the generous patronage of Queen Maria Barbara of Spain, the sonatas selected (38 in Series I, 40 in Series II) are the crowning achievements of an outstanding Baroque composer. Exciting experimental effects — consecutive fifths and octaves, crossing hands, internal repetitions, and extended chords — are presented in brisk and exciting "essercizi" that celebrates the marvelous potential of the keyboard.
Enthusiastic students and practiced professionals will be delightful by the unusually modern sense demonstrated in Scarlatti's invigorating and uninhibited style. Sturdily bound and painstakingly reproduced with large clear notations from the famous Longo edition, these volumes deserve a place in the library of every serious keyboard artist.