Scarlatti - Sonata in D major K. 96

[electrafingers]

Hi guys

Another recent recording - this time of one of the better-known Scarlatti's sonatas. You are all welcome to share your thoughts.

Ishay

[pianistimo]

this was very enjoyable to listen to and very strong.  i guess that is expected with scarlatti.  it's like bursts of sunshine.  good trills. some of the single repeated notes might be refined, but thats really really picky.  and, who am i to comment.  i've only played 2-3 scarlatti sonatas - but i sight read some of them for fun.  now, i know how this one is supposed to sound.

my teacher suggested instead of changing fingers on repeated notes - to move slightly further in each repeated note with the SAME finger.  and, obviously closer and closer to the key.  it actually helps you play it evenly and is no strain at all.  at first i was doubtful.  seems that one is always told to use different fingers - but this helped me a lot.  hope i'm not giving out secret information - but you know- i think that piano playing is definately an art and one worth refining.

[electrafingers]

Thanks for your comment.

I think your suggestion might be good for pieces that call for a little slower repeated notes, like in Beethoven's first variations from the 32 variations in C minor, in case you choose a moderate tempo.

For this Scarlatti sonata in this tempo, I find it hard to believe that anyone can play all these repeated notes in good quality with one finger. And even if it's possible, they will probably become very heavy-sounding, which isn't very good in this case. But if you can find someone who can do it this way, please show me.

Ishay

[pianistimo]

my teacher can.  carl cranmer.  i was playing another scarlatti sonata with fast repeated notes - and you just majorly lighten up your hand/fingers.  moving inwards slightly, each note, is the secret.

[sarrasani]

Excellent work, and very good also the audio quality. Congratulations and all the best for you,
Sandro

[kelly_kelly]

Thanks so much for posting! Your playing is so energetic, yet so nuanced. I really enjoy your other recordings as well.

EDIT: 500th post 

[rachfan]

Hi Ishay,

As always, you've produced another fine recording.  I particularly liked you even, crisp articulation, yet with expressive and tasteful nuances too.  Excellent!

[tds]

bravo!! most enjoyable, sir

[ramseytheii]

It's very well played!  personally speaking I like my Scarlatti in extremes.  I like to be played extremely like a pianist, or extremely like a harpsichord.  This seems slightly problematic to me, in that it is somewhere in the middle.  You obviously lean towards a more harpsichord sound, but that makes some of your interpretative gestures seem incongruous, like the effete ending of the first half, or a flimsy rubato (perhaps not intentional) on the repeated notes, which by the way have a nice tone quality.  So often you hear fast fingers on repeated notes, and ugly sound.

In short I think the interpretation can have more integrity.  Good job!

Walter Ramsey

[mkaykov]

A great Scarlatti recording - I played this Sonata, and it is much more difficult than it sounds. I like how the tempo is consistent throughout, and your trills and scales a re magical. Bravo!

I look forward to hearing more of your recordings.

[kard]

I agree with you guys, the trills are almost hillarious...in a good way It sounds like laughter. I love this.  It is very even, crisp, and well voiced.
yay for good music and their performers.