Discs 12-22
CD12 [63:57]: Harpsichord
Sonatas Nos Kk: 189 in B flat [4:36]; 190 in B flat [3:21]; 191
in D minor [4:06]; 192 in E flat [4:20]; 193 in E flat [4:57];
194 in F [5:25]; 195 in F [4:13]; 196 in G minor [3:21]; 197 in
B minor [3:44]; 198 in E Minor [3:18]; 199 in C [4:16]; 200 in
C [3:53]; 201 in G [4:26]; 202 in B flat [5:10]; 203 in E minor
[4:45].
At the beginning of
this disc Ross reverts to the harpsichord by Martin that he used
for the Essercizi and the bass timbre is rather lighter.
Around pairs of sonatas in major keys, this disc contains several
solitary sonatas in minor keys. Unlike those at the beginning
of disc 11, Kk Nos. 191 and 196 to 198 tend to stay resolutely
in the minor, giving a more plaintive effect than usual. Scarlatti
can’t resist two bars of glorious B major at the beginning of
the second half of Kk 197 but that is about it. Despite a relative
lack of unusual modulations, the music still catches the ear as
does Ross’s totally sympathetic approach. The F major pair Kk
Nos. 194 and 195 is a good example of the conviction of his playing.
These two contrasted sonatas – marked Andante and Vivo
respectively are accorded rock-like rhythmic control and attractively
varied repeats. Ross omits to repeat the second half in Kk194
and I am sure he was right – you can have too much of a good thing.
Towards the end of the disc, Kk Nos. 201 and 202 illustrate well
the endless variety of Scarlatti’s ideas. In the former, all is
brightness in the first half but the second half opening brings
great contrasts. In the latter, the first half is short and the
second half is in binary form itself. Again it starts with new
and much darker material – and also a change of rhythm from 3/8
to 6/8 – before ending with a variation of the first half. Finally,
the rather grand Kk203 was possibly intended to be paired with
Kk198.
[Discs 13-22 to be
added]
[Review last updated
30 December 2005]
Patrick C Waller
Internal Links
Introduction
Discs 1-11
Discs 23-34
Conclusions
External links
Sale of complete set:
AmazonUK
AmazonUS
Sale of single disc sampler:
AmazonUK
£8.99
Sale of Kirkpatrick’s book:
AmazonUK
AmazonUSA
John Sankey’s MIDI files:
http://www.midiworld.com/scarlatti.htm
Sonatas listed by Kk, L and P numbers:
http://www.classical.net/music/composer/works/scarlattid
Richard Lester's complete set:
http://www.the-scarlatti-experience.fsnet.co.uk/indexb.htm
Scott Ross (harpsichord)
