Domenico Scarlatti

Scarlatti was born in Naples, but wrote his keyboard sonatas mostly in Spain, though some early ones date to his years in Portugal. His idiom includes Spanish and Italian elements. According to Scarlatti scholar Ralph Kirkpatrick -- the musicologist (and performer) responsible for the "K" numbering system used to catalog the composer's works -- this Sonata in D minor clearly betrays the composer's Neapolitan roots. Indeed, thirds here suddenly move from major to minor, a typical feature of Neapolitan keyboard music of the day. More minuet than sonata, this lovely work conjures up an atmosphere of nostalgia and solitude, featuring skeletal textures in its slow-moving music. Marked merely Aria, the piece presents a sad, stately theme, a gentle creation that seems to float slowly downward over minor peaks and valleys along the way. This overall downward trajectory, along with the glacial pacing, underlines the sonata's melancholy atmosphere. The theme repeats throughout the work, but somewhat varies about midway through, moving much of the melody from the upper to middle register. This sonata typically lasts two-and-a-half minutes.