Scarlatti Sonatas. Where to begin?

[jwchopin]

I've seen that Scarlatti has over 500 sonatas, but which ones should I play? I've seen Bernhard's big list by difficulty but, being grade 5 (Intermediate), which ones would be appropriate and which ones sound great?

[classicalnhiphop]

the most fun to play is sonata in d minor k 141, i don't think you should attempt it as it's harder than most Chopin etudes
Perhaps try E major l 23 (srry i don't know K number)
also d minor k9

[symphonicdance]

K.1 and K.27 perhaps?

[outin]

That's a bit like asking which chocolate to eat first from box

Which ones sound great is a matter of taste (almost all of them if you ask me).

But here are some of the easier ones for you to listen to:
K32
K34
K64
K95
K149
K274
K322
K391
K431
K440

[thesixthsensemusic]

Check out the catalogue of G. Henle Verlag, and check for the ones they picked for their Scarlatti sonatas edition, then just download the scores from Google through IMSLP or en.scorser

[chechig]

I'm level 5 more o less and I started with k 32 l 423 not very dificult, and then I learnt k 208  L 238. Beautiful both of them

[cometear]

I think the Scarlatti sonatas are extremely virtuoso pieces. I've looked into them and I was very disinterested. K. 1 is an interesting one. Take a look at it.

[outin]

I think the Scarlatti sonatas are extremely virtuoso pieces. I've looked into them and I was very disinterested.

That might be because for some reason many think they are all about speed. Which they are not. They are wonderful to practice because even the faster ones often sound just as nice in slower tempos.

[outin]

I'm level 5 more o less and I started with k 32 l 423 not very dificult, and then I learnt k 208  L 238. Beautiful both of them

I did the other way round, K208 was one of my first pieces
Actually I am still working on it occasionally. I was not ready for it the first time, it's not an easy piece although one can learn the notes quite fast. There's so much to work on, balance, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, ornaments, tempo, pedalling...The possibilities are endless.

I love Schiff's recording of the piece, not available on YT unfortunately.

A very different slower version, but lovely also:

[chechig]

I agree with you Outing, the k208 is not easy to play, but with some practice it can be done and it's so nice when you play it!! I love the way Pires plays it.