SKU: BT.ALHE32645

French.

Italian composer, Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) is well-known for his Keyboard compositions. His 555 Keyboard Sonatas remain ever popular to this day, and it is for this reason that this first volume is indispensable toperformers of the genre. Originally composed for the Harpsichord, Organ or early Pianoforte, the Sonatas display the riveting use of discords and unconventional modulations to remote keys. It is also thought that much ofScarlatti's Keyboard music contains influences of Iberian music, considering that he spent much of his working life in the service of the Spanish and Portuguese royal families. This first volume, comprising Sonatas 1-52, includesthe popular and recognised Sonatas in D minor (K. 9), E major (K. 20) and B minor (K. 27). Bearing in mind that Domenico Scarlatti was a highly competent and popular Keyboard player in his day, so much so that he was employed inthe service of two royal families, his Sonatas are composed with much experience, understanding and expertise, creating an essential addition to the repertoire of all Keyboard players of the Baroque genre.

SKU: BT.ALHE32440

English.

Jean-Henri d'Anglebert (1629-1691) was one of the foremost composers of Keyboard music of his day. Therefore, the collection of his works, Pieces for Harpsichord is essential to all players of early Baroque Keyboard music. D'Anglebert's Pieces for Harpsichord represents some of the finest achievements of the French Harpsichord school and shows the composer's mastery of counterpoint as well as his ability to experiment with texture to achieveorchestral sonority. Moreover, d'Anglebert's collection contains a table of ornaments which formed the basis of those of J. S. Bach and other significant composers. The first volume of Pieces for Harpsichord comprises fourHarpsichord Suites composed by d'Anglebert, each of which consist of the usual dance movements together with transcriptions from Lully's operas. Furthermore, the three unmeasured preludes included in Suites one, two and three aretruly remarkable examples of their kind. With a descriptive preface in French, English and German, volume one of d'Anglebert's Pieces for Harpsichord is a sublime addition to the repertoire of early Baroque Keyboard music.