Horowitz plays Scarlatti Sonata in A minor K 54 L 241

[DARKDEATHEPICA]

the name of the picture in the background?

[Hjominbonrun]

Sound like every note was planned. Very restrained playing considering how this gets played on the harpsicord.

[kempff95]

thats something!

horowitz was the greatest pianist in all times!

beteer than gilels and some many!

p.s salvador dali born on same date like horowitz and also died on same year !!

1989

[Perkeno]

Why does he feel the need to rush when he gets to the octaves? to show off? How annoying; it completely ruins the mood for me.

[tony176000]

Ah, who are you kidding. Horowitz plays these with such authenticity and utter beauty. People enjoy criticizing him becuase 1- he is completely a master of the instrument, and 2- is a master despite having somewhat "unconventional" techniques, so therefore people like to criticize based on that alone--which is simply hubris. You will never play them better, and will likely find few in all of the world who can. CLose your eyes, its not even Horowitz--its Scarlatti, simply. Horowitz--master.

[tony176000]

@PJinBston

Its a funny notion that you can somehow 1-complain about an artist as complete a master as Horowitz; 2-use "distort" which implies he has negatively modified a known original (I mean, have you HEARD Scarlatti play this??); and 3- fail to post your own version to demonstrate your commensurate skill and therefore place to be criticizing Horowitz. This is not a college adjudication, you are better off emulating his mistakes than trying to interpret it yourself! Again, I call hubris.

[tony176000]

@PJinBston You waste everyone's time with snarky posts like this. Instead of being a high school smart-ass, why dont' tell us what you don't like and why. You read the score, you interpret what you read, and produce music. So again, unless you have actually heard god or the composer play it OR otherwise state that Horowitz's performance is in error per se, its all a matter of your opinion--one which you are greatly outnumbered on. You imply that music plays itself. Sticking with HUBRIS on this.

[toneeeeeee]

@PJinBston Following the score verbatim for a Scarlatti sonata is not the same as doing so for a Couperin piece nor even one by master Bach. Scarlatti on piano requires something that his markings for harpsichord could not bring out. Following the score verbatim would create a dry void of bland muted colors. Horowitz has a romantic attack and approach to this music, which may not be to everyone's taste, but his performance is stronger precisely because he does NOT follow the score.

[Siberiaeterna]

I hardly believe people here dare criticize Horowitz!!!Who are you people???Please tell us, we are waiting for your performances..

[tuliofru]

@thyran: You want to say that we should be in an owe ?? Thing is that Horowitz does not play it with humility at all: just listen how aggressive he is in his attack at the beginning of certain motives. Often too positive, to say the best. Too present, with accents unjustified. And when he denatures the tempo by rushing capriciously, without any justification, is revolting, like a child that does not know what he doing. No, no, never will have he humility from me listening to this - repulsion.

[tuliofru]

Good beginning; what happens afterward in the middle part ? Why does she rush all of the sudden when playing the octaves ? Why does he make them in staccato and way too quickly than the rest of the piece ? Totally arbitrary ! It's a pity for the good beginning with such a nice toucher. Than he spoils the rest. Overrated pianist, not very coherent all the time, in spite of his formidable easiness that he displays sometimes. God doesn't give all to somebody. That's it.

[neelsdp1]

artistic license!

[neelsdp1]

@PJinBston I'll agree that your opinion to some extent, but you will also find those in favor of unique interpretation which I call art. A musician can also be an artist in my mind...let us not argue about different opinions, let us just recognize that there are different viewpoints and that we will have to respect that. Virgil Fox also was known for creating new music from old stuff - some people hated that and obviously some not. Dogma can suffocate the arts, including performing arts.

[neelsdp1]

@PJinBston I disagree, a musician is a performing artist; interpretation varies - I'm not aware of any musicians sounding the same.

[jazzinleb]

Because they sound nicer like that.

[thyran]

@tuliofru

So many pianists play this piece so self-indulgently. People who like this version want to hear it with humility, I think.

[SuzelleDeGrace]

Quelle finesse!

[Starwalker6978]

These are wonderful! I've listened these Horowitz recordings a thousand times and never got tired listening to them.

[MagicDonDino]

I'm glad that you like this i wiil uploading more Scarlatti sonata! On my channel there is a playlist with performance of Horowitz Golud Giles and Pogolerich(coming soon) :-)