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“My esercizi are not designed to display any profound learning, but are rather an ingenious Jesting with Art.” – Domenico Scarlatti

No instrument changed the music of the eighteenth century more than the piano. Invented in the early 1700’s, the piano quickly replaced previous keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and the clavichord. Great pianists were known for their incredible virtuosity and adept playing. However, before the piano took its firm hold, the composer Domenico Scarlatti was clearing the way for the piano with his revolutionary keyboard playing. Even though he composed for the harpsichord, his music greatly influenced early pianists and revolutionized keyboard playing forever.

Domenico Scarlatti was born the sixth son of the composer Allesandro Scarlatti (1660-1725). “Al” Scarlatti was already famous for writing operas and church music by the time his son Domenico was born. Fulfilling his responsibility as a good father, “Al” taught his son how to also become a great composer. For the first few decades of his life, it appeared that Domenico was going to turn out to be a clone of his father. He composed operas and church music, just as his daddy had done. Yet, something would happen that would alter his musical direction.

When he was 34, Domenico was appointed to be the high court musician for the King of Portugal. As the court musician, Scarlatti tutored the King’s daughter, Maria Barbara, who was an excellent harpsichordist. In fact, she was almost better than even Scarlatti himself. The main course of action for a teacher is to know more than his pupil, so Scarlatti spent a great deal of time pouring over the harpsichord and composing for it to stay ahead of the talented princess. When the princess later married the Prince of Spain, Scarlatti moved with her and lived in Madrid for the rest of his life. In Madrid, Scarlatti was profoundly influenced by the heavy rhythms of Spanish music.

Today, Domenico Scarlatti is considered the great master of the harpsichord. His music explored the nooks and crannies of what keyboard music had to offer and readied the world for a new kind of keyboard instrument that would take charge after Scarlatti’s death: the piano.

Listening to Scarlatti

If you have never heard what a harpsichord sounds like, it is best to hear it first playing a piece by Scarlatti. That’s because Scarlatti gave the harpsichord its classic voice, and wrote some of the finest music for it. Likewise, if you’re wondering what Scarlatti’s music sounds like, its best to hear it first on the harpsichord.

Scarlatti Recommendations

Keyboard Music

- Keyboard Sonata K. 1

- Keyboard Sonata K. 9

- Keyboard Sonata K. 87

- Keyboard Sonata K. 141

- Keyboard Sonata K. 481


Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) *The Harpsichord Guy* “My esercizi are not designed to display any profound learning, but are rather an ingenious Jesting with Art.” – Domenico Scarlatti No instrument changed the music of the eighteenth century more than the piano. Invented in the early 1700’s, the piano quickly replaced previous keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and the clavichord. Great pianists were known for their incredible virtuosity and adept playing. However, before the piano took its firm hold, the composer Domenico Scarlatti was clearing the way for the piano with his revolutionary keyboard playing. Even though he composed for the harpsichord, his music greatly influenced early pianists and revolutionized keyboard playing forever. Domenico Scarlatti was born the sixth son of the composer Allesandro Scarlatti (1660-1725). “Al” Scarlatti was already famous for writing operas and church music by the time his son Domenico was born. Fulfilling his responsibility as a good father, “Al” taught his son how to also become a great composer. For the first few decades of his life, it appeared that Domenico was going to turn out to be a clone of his father. He composed operas and church music, just as his daddy had done. Yet, something would happen that would alter his musical direction. When he was 34, Domenico was appointed to be the high court musician for the King of Portugal. As the court musician, Scarlatti tutored the King’s daughter, Maria Barbara, who was an excellent harpsichordist. In fact, she was almost better than even Scarlatti himself. The main course of action for a teacher is to know more than his pupil, so Scarlatti spent a great deal of time pouring over the harpsichord and composing for it to stay ahead of the talented princess. When the princess later married the Prince of Spain, Scarlatti moved with her and lived in Madrid for the rest of his life. In Madrid, Scarlatti was profoundly influenced by the heavy rhythms of Spanish music. Today, Domenico Scarlatti is considered the great master of the harpsichord. His music explored the nooks and crannies of what keyboard music had to offer and readied the world for a new kind of keyboard instrument that would take charge after Scarlatti’s death: the piano. Listening to Scarlatti If you have never heard what a harpsichord sounds like, it is best to hear it first playing a piece by Scarlatti. That’s because Scarlatti gave the harpsichord its classic voice, and wrote some of the finest music for it. Likewise, if you’re wondering what Scarlatti’s music sounds like, its best to hear it first on the harpsichord. Scarlatti Recommendations Keyboard Music - Keyboard Sonata K. 1 - Keyboard Sonata K. 9 - Keyboard Sonata K. 87 - Keyboard Sonata K. 141 - Keyboard Sonata K. 481

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