Horowitz Plays Scarlatti

Description

18 sonatas by the baroque master Domenico Scarlatti, performed by the legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz. Domenico Scarlatti was known early on for his highly virtuosic harpsichord playing; however, he only became famous for his compositions after arriving at the Spanish court in 1733. Apparently freed from the geographical distance of his native Italy and influenced by Spanish music, he created a very complete body of 555 sonatas for harpsichord starting in 1738, notably during the last five years of his life. In these pieces, he experiments with the influences of flamenco and other forms of Spanish dance without being bound by the conventions of his time and combines them with his own musical visions to create a distinctive personal style. "These magnificent interpretations refute any purist who thinks that Scarlatti must be played on the harpsichord." (Penguin Guide)