Keyboard Pieces by Scarlatti (from the standard eollection of his works)
[This programme has been arranged in celebration of the. anniversary of Scarlatti's birth.1
No. 32, in C; No. 33, in D ; Study, in C ;
No. 9, in D Minor ; No. 20, in E ;
No. 43 (Pastorale), in F; No. 42, in C.
DOMENICO SCARLATTI , born in the same year as Bach and Handel (1685). was a great pioneer in keyboard writing. He was a bold experimenter in harmony, and had a wit as brisk as his fingers.
Once when Scarlatti was young a musical competition was got up in Rome by a Cardinal, at which Scarlatti and Handel both appeared. Nobody could decide which of these two played the Harpsichord better, but when it came to Organ playing Handel, they say, was an easy winner.
Of the Pastorale (No. 43) Mrs. O'Neill says that 'it is one of the very few pieces in which one can trace the influence of Scarlatti's visit to England, where he came with Handel as companion. There is a distinct flavour of the Morris Dances in this charming little piece, which is very rarely played.'
Of the last piece to be played (No. 42, in C) she says : ' This has a character quite of its own, not unlike that of modern Russian music. Part of it suggests in type some of the Prince Igor dances.'
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