Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 443 (L. 418): Movement 1
2. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 443 (L. 418): Movement 2
3. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 1 (L. 366): Movement 1
4. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 1 (L. 366): Movement 2
5. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 283 (L. 318)
6. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 284 (L. 90)
7. Sonata for keyboard in B minor, K. 27 (L. 449)
8. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) 'Cort�ge': Movement 1
9. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) 'Cort�ge': Movement 2
10. Sonata for keyboard in A major, K. 24 (L. 495): Movement 1
11. Sonata for keyboard in A major, K. 24 (L. 495): Movement 2
12. Sonata for keyboard in C sharp minor, K. 247 (L. 256)
13. Sonata for keyboard in F minor, K. 519 (L. 475)
14. Sonata for keyboard in F major, K. 17 (L. 384)

Disc 2:

1. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 9 (L. 413), 'Pastorale'
2. Sonata for keyboard in A minor, K. 3 (L. 378)
3. Sonata for keyboard in A major, K. 404 (L. 222): Movement 1
4. Sonata for keyboard in A major, K. 404 (L. 222): Movement 2
5. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 213 (L. 108) 'The Lover': Movement 1
6. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 213 (L. 108) 'The Lover': Movement 2
7. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 213 (L. 108) 'The Lover': Movement 3
8. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 214 (L. 165)
9. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 96 (L. 465) 'La caccia': Movement 1
10. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 96 (L. 465) 'La caccia': Movement 2
11. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 146 (L. 349)
12. Sonata for keyboard in B minor, K. 87 (L. 33): Movement 1
13. Sonata for keyboard in B minor, K. 87 (L. 33): Movement 2
14. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 520 (L. 86)
15. Sonata for keyboard in C minor, K. 11 (L. 352)
16. Sonata for keyboard in F minor, K. 386 (L. 171)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23674 in Music
• Released on: 2001-10-09
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

Scarlatti chock-full of color and fantasy
I admit I prefer my Scarlatti played on the piano, and I have always been fond of my recordings by Horowitz, Tipo, de Larrocha, Schiff, etc. This wonderful recording by Pletnev might just be my favorite though, there is so much beauty, fantasy, color and sheer imagination in his playing. He takes some chances in his interpretations, and I don't think he ever misses his mark. A lovely recording, and I am glad to see that it has been re-released. Get yourself a copy!

a completely insane bargain
It is a monumental piece of insanity that these two discs of wonderful music are being sold for less than the cost of one normal CD. Not that I'm complaining.

Mikhail Pletnev is a modern master. As far as I'm concerned, he is the most talented pianist alive (all apologies to Jacqueline Schwab and Marc-Andre Hamelin). This recording is by no means his best; but how can you not love it?

Pletnev always seems to get inside the soul of a composer. He finds things long hidden and reveals (though some might accuse him of creating) them. He continues this magical feet on these discs.

While some have complained of Pletnev's romantic/modern reading of Scarlatti, I say why complain when someone brings all-too tired music back to life? Pletnev's Scarlatti is incredibly refreshing and endearing. I dare you not to like this music.

I give this recording a hearty recommendation.

Scarlatti at Everyone's Best
If anything can ever convince the purist that Scarlatti on the Piano is no sin, it would be this marvel of a disc. Mikhail Pletnev, no stranger to controversy (as in his recent Schumann account), takes a delightfully fresh approach to these pieces and won me over in no time - even though I grew up on vinyls of my Uncle playing Scarlatti on the Harpsichord. Even Horowitz's famous recording cannot compare to this 2-CD-set, now re-issued at a ridiculously low price. Music that sparkles like this is not often found - and once you stop missing the harpsichord in these works, you will find yourself listening to this performance over and over, without getting tired of it. Do not be fooled into thinking that - as baroque music - this might make suitable background music for a day in the office: You will not get any work dnoe as you listen with delight.

P.S. A word to Pogorelich's performance: When Ivo Pogorelich is described as a "unique" pianist, it isn't always laude that carries with that description. But he's always got something to say - and I, for one, rather like his Chopin Préludes op.28 and his Liszt Sonata in b-minor. What a surprise then, to hear him in these Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas, recorded over a decade ago, where Pogorelich is one of the least indulgent players in the slow sonatas. Scarlatti's 555 (!) keyboard sonatas, written for the harpsichord and clavicembalo, work marvelously on the modern grand piano (although it took me some time to get used to it) and sound eerily modern at times. One of Vladimir Horowitz's best recordings is one with Scarlatti sonatas and Mikhail Pletnev's two-disc recording of Scarlatti Sonatas was just re-issued at budget price. Pogorelich's one-hour recording seems to overlap more with Pletnev's than it actually does, and he is every bit as good as his compatriot. Unlike Pletnev, he doesn't exaggerate every contrast in the sonatas - and he has funny ideas about the meaning of Allegro in Sonata K 8, but all in all, his playing is more like Pletnev's than it is different. I find both superb - and am tempted to give a slight edge to Pletnev over Pogorelich. It is a great Scarlatti CD to have, but at twice the price with half the music of the Pletnev re-issue, it can't be a first choice.

There are others well worth having, too. Christian Zacharias on EMI or MDG, Maria Tipo for on the EMI "Encore" budget label, the crazy Landowska on her Pleyel (including anti-aircraft guns going off over paris in K499 - EMI)... but with Pletnev (or, yes, Pogorelich) you'll be set for a while.