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Sonata K491 - Soundcloud

 

10127- Sonata K491

Domenico Scarlatti

arranged for 10-piece brass ensemble by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Medium

Price: £20.00

Programme note:

Although he wrote music in other genres Scarlatti is best known for his 555 keyboard sonatas. He was himself a virtuoso, his skills on the harpsichord, displayed in a competition in Rome, apparently eclipsing those of Handel. He spent the latter part of his life in Spain where his style was influenced by the local folk traditions. Most of his sonatas are in a simple binary form; the main thematic material is presented in the first section then some development, often with distinctive harmonic twists and shifts to remote keys, occurs in the second half before a recapitulation. K491, originally in D major but transposed here to B flat major, is typical of this pattern. It has a majestic, processional quality ideally suited to a transcription for brass.

Performance note:

The original Allegro marking suggests that there should be an energetic feel to the performance but not that it should be taken too quickly. Aim for a positive sense of noble dignity but at a tempo which allows semi-quaver movement to be well controlled. The passages at C-D and I-J, in particular should be lightly articulated and neat rather than showy. All markings are editorial and aimed at suggesting performance style. Much of the original texture, mostly 2-part, has been filled out. Ensure that this thicker voicing does not become heavy. Even in the louder dynamics be restrained and well balanced. Come away slightly from any sustained notes, including accompanying crotchets. The accents used at some points eg bars 2-10, should be very light and more suggestive of note shape (similar to fp) than attack.