Sonata in E Major, “Capriccio”
Domenico Scarlatti is best known for his harpsichord sonatas and as one of the most celebrated harpsichordists of his time. His most famous works are his 550 single-movement sonatas or esercizi (exercises).
Early Life
Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti, Italian composer and keyboard player, was born on October 26, 1685 in Naples, the eldest son of Alessandro Scarlatti. The Scarlatti family was very musical. Two of Alessandro's brothers were famous musician/composers and his Alessandro himself was famed as an opera composer. It was only natural, then, that Domenico received his first music instruction from his father.
At 16, Domenico became organist and composer at the royal chapel in Naples. Later, he went to study in Venice and, while there, became a good friend of George F. Handel. After visiting Venice and spending time in Rome (1709), he became court composer in the service of the exiled Polish Queen Maria Casimira. He was also maestro di cappella to the Portuguese Ambassador and later of the Cappella Giuliana in the Vatican. For a time, Scarlatti also served as director of music at St Peter's in Rome.
Music Teacher and Composer
From around 1719 until 1728, Scarlatti lived in Lisbon in the service of the King of Portugal, and one of his tasks was to teach music to the king’s daughter, Princess Maria Barbara. When the princess married the Crown Prince of Spain and moved to Madrid in 1728, Scarlatti followed her there and spent the rest of his life as her music teacher. It was for her that he wrote most of his harpsichord music. As a tribute for Scarlatti's long service to the Spanish royal family he received a Spanish knighthood in 1738.
Scarlatti's Compositions
Initially he composed operas, naturally aligning himself to his father's footsteps. But his later years were devoted to composing keyboard works. The dates of many of his compositions are not known. His 550 single-movement sonatas for harpsichord - short pieces in forms that demonstrate the new freedoms of keyboard composition - were very much inspired by Spanish musical idioms.
Later Years and Musical Legacy
Domenico Scarlatti married Maria Caterina Gentili in 1728, and they had 5 children. Following her death 14 years later, he re-married to Anastasia Ximenes. He died in Madrid, July 23, 1757, aged 72.
The significance of Scarlatti's music lies in bridging a link between the Baroque period and the musical styles and forms of the Classical period. It is often said that his music provided the foundation for modern piano technique.
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