Ryan Layne Whitney (Scarlatti K. 27 on Sperrhake clavichord)

Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B minor, K. 27 (played on Sperrhake clavichord).

Thanks to YouTube user FernandRaynaud for suggesting that I play this sonata on the Sperrhake clavichord. Though perhaps the opportunities for bebung are not many, the gentle melancholy of the sonata comes off well on the clavichord, I think. Also, because I rarely show anything other than my hands at the keyboard, some users have wondered whether I am in fact a headless torso. To allay this horrifying speculation, I have shown my face, however unedifying it may be in itself, or however little it enhances the musical experience.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• clavichord
• Scarlatti
• Sperrhake

[taichingkan]

how come the tune was a half step lower?

[teafruitbat]

@taichingkan I tune all my instruments (except for the piano) at A415, "baroque pitch," about a half-step lower than modern pitch. It is easier to keep the instruments in tune, and they sound better.

[Sorcerer88]

i wonder about your fingering at 0:24, you seem to have problems with it yourself. i would continue as before and let the left hand jump over the right one. anyways, nice performance!

[teafruitbat]

You are right: that would be smoother. But, I was following the hand dispositions marked in the score, which show the changes from left to right: clearly a visual effect. By doing it the way you suggest it would likely be smoother, but I decided to follow the markings in the score, however clumsily I managed it, so that the change in hand crossings would be visible.

[Jtking3000]

also i forgot to mention. why do you go underhand on that tiny section? it must make it harder!

[teafruitbat]

Actually, it seemed to make it easier for me.  Scarlatti indicates where he wants the left and right hand to play, as a visual effect mostly (though the slight break that can occur when one changes hands is often noticeable and perhaps desirable), because the notes are the same during each change of hands, but I found that if I went over the left hand that it was harder to do the next change of hands. It could have to do with my position at the keyboard---or innate clumsiness!

[pidog]

Finally! A perfect use for youtube

[FernandRaynaud]

Yes, this IS the right instrument for this piece. Thank you!!!

[taichingkan]

@Sorcerer88 it was like that on the score i have.

[sukangeong]

@teafruitbat The first time I've heard anyone else play this piece on the clavichord, and only the second time I've seen a performer respect Scarlatti's hand assignments. I've always wondered, though, if the division of the hands might not possibly be indicating the use of different keyboards on a two-manual instrument. Make sense?! Very nice performance, by the way.

[sukangeong]

@ancientbriton1947 There's a book published (it used to be listed frequently on ebay) on the clavichord in the Iberian peninsula.

[Mr98giuliano]

unfretted clavichord?

[zavreio]

What a treat.Thank you for playing such a beautiful piece.

[pchk1]

@teafruitbat

Very curious here . . . why would you rather cross the right hand UNDER the left hand than over it?

[dradcliffe85]

I would like to say Mr. Whitney that all of you interpretations of the Scarlatti and other composers pieces are superp. You play with a style and emotion similar to mine, which tells me that you may be a composer as well. Your style speaks to me, my mind, and my heart which is what makes great music as opposed to notes played on an instrument. Beatuiful.