Scarlatti K 25 - you guys gotta learn this one!

[yamagal]

It is grade 5 but sounds harder IMO.  It is sublime.  I can just imagine Siberian Husky playing it in Norstrom and the shoppers all swooning (the ladies anyway).

I have just mastered K213, and plan to learn K25 next.  K25 seems to my ear to be a good piece for laying the groundwork for Clair de Lune (I know, an old chestnut, but one of my goal pieces nonetheless).

[arensky]

I am! It's great! But I think I have a different take on it than you, you're talking about swooning and Clair de Lune; did you hear the Pletnev recording by chance? That's his take on it. I found K.25 about two or three years ago when I was scrolling through my Complete Scarlatti Sonatas CDrom. It looked cool so I printed it out, and gave it to an older student who had flying fingers. I sort of learned it while teaching it to her,  I often do that with my student's pieces. When I decided to open my upcoming recital with some Scarlatti, I decided to put this in as the closer for my Sonata group. My take on it is  fast and virtuostic. Another student recently loaned me Pletnev's Scarlatti recording which contains this Sonata. I was reluctant to listen to it as I did not want to be influenced or demoralized (Pletnev is so good  ). So I put it on, my finger hovering above the pause button. What I heard surprised me, it was like listening  to K.87. I enjoyed this very much but it did not alter my own conception, which is driving rather than lyrical. I thnk either way is valid. You should listen to Claudio Colombo's digital intepretation, it's very different from Pletnev. These are the only recordings I've heard of this Sonata, which I'm enjoying very much and is rather challenging IMO.  I'm not familiar with your grades, but I've gathered that Grade 8 is pretty difficult stuff. What are some Beethoven or Chopin pieces from your Grade 5? My inquring mind wants to know...

Here's the link to Claudio Colombo, they are pretty good for digital and hearing how the Sonatas go...../www.claudiocolombo.net/scarlatti.htm

[fuel925]

Does anyone have the sheet music of K.213 and could you please send it to me?

[yamagal]

I am! It's great! But I think I have a different take on it than you, you're talking about swooning and Clair de Lune; did you hear the Pletnev recording by chance? That's his take on it. ...

What are some Beethoven or Chopin pieces from your Grade 5? My inquring mind wants to know...

Here's the link to Claudio Colombo, they are pretty good for digital and hearing how the Sonatas go...../www.claudiocolombo.net/scarlatti.htm

Hi Arensky,

Yes, it's the Pletnev.  I play my CDs of Pletnev's Scarlatti so much that my kids are getting sick of it.  My own playing style tends toward the lyrical so Pletnev is my favorite interpreter of Scarlatti.  So far I have only heard Pletnev, Lewin and Andjaparidze's Scarlatti recordings.

Bernhard has characterized K. 25 as lyrical - in one thread he wrote:

"II. Twenty "Lyrical" sonatas (Slow, reflective and tranquil. Technically unchallenging but requiring the utmost musicality - only for mature students).

"1. K 25 (F# minor - Allegro) - A not too fast, beautiful two voice invention that moves in a relentless way with one of the most beautiful motifs of all sonatas. Crossing hands. Broken chords figuration in both hands. Harmonically adventurous and mood setting. A masterpiece. (3:55) Grade 5"

But since you mention it can also be played with more -um..?- attack, I will try that too.  Good for building all-around technique.

As for "my grades" - heh, I'm not in a course or anything.  I am learning on my own at present and am an older, intermediate player who has returned to the piano after many years of not playing and no access to an instrument.  The grades I mention are just what I've picked up here at the forum.  I do appreciate when you guys list the grade of a piece, because that helps me see ahead of time if I should be tackling it yet.

"my repertoire" such as it is --

polished:

Scarlatti - K. 213
Bach - Wachet Auf, Trio in Gm
Beethoven - Fur Elise (a favorite of my husband's, so I gotta play it often)

Could be brought up to snuff fairly quickly (I am rusty at 'em):

Satie - Gymnopedie No. 1
Brahms - Waltz Op. 39 No. 15
C.P.E. Bach - Solfeggietto
Beethoven - Moonlight Adagio
And some other stuff, shorter Chopin, Bach and Beethoven pieces (all easy)

Can play:

Clair de Lune first section, and lots of the arpeggio section except for 2 hard places :-b

Goal pieces:  Pathetique adagio, Clair de Lune, Reverie, Arabesque No. 1, lots of Scarlatti especially K. 27 (I wish!!), Beethoven sonatas or movements, some Chopin.  If I can get to where I can play level 7 pieces I will be happy.  Right now I can play level 4 and 5 material fairly easily, including initial sightreading.  Level 6 pieces are a bit of a stretch at present.

**Thank you** for the link - I will bookmark it!  Glad to hear any and all Scarlatti interpretations!

[pianalex]

I have recently got yevgeny sudbin's scarlatti collection, which is superb i think.  i also have the pletnev which remains top choice for me.  christian zacharias has been recommended but i dont know it. also horrwitz.  scott ross complete set (harpsichord) is just re released, and  it is interesting that the one you mention is one of the ones i was listening to and enjoying, and then trying out myself.  it is certainly worth hearing on the h/chord and does give a new outlook on colours and timbres. pierre hantai also v good - h/chord again. i think its probably higher than grade 5 if played at reasonable speed and articulation.  scarlatti is a wonderful treasure-trove..