Scarlatti Sonata in G major K 14: Brouwer (1 of 12)

Cuban guitarist Leo Brouwer plays his transcriptions of 12 keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti in a magnificent (and long out-of-print) 1974 recording.

Sonata in G major K. 14/ L. 387 (1738)

To hear the whole set uninterrupted, go to
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B23CB5D9DF095955

From Brouwer's liner notes from the LP (more will follow):

"Almost all the Scarlatti sonatas were unquestionably composed during the composer's later years when he was at the height of his powers. Domenico Scarlatti dedicated his "Essercizi per Gravicembalo" to João of Portugal in 1738, but most of them were composed for the daughter of the monarch, Maria Barbara, later Queen of Spain.

The best copy, in 13 volumes, dates from between 1752 and 1757, preceded by two volumes copied in 1742 and 1749. It should be noted that Scarlatti's manuscripts have all disappeared.

In his "Essercizi", Scarlatti constructs a world of sound reflecting the reality of his own time. The harpsichord, and the organ with its pedals and manuals with orchestral tone-colours, and on the other hand the very popular Concerto Grosso, with its "solo-tutti" structure, are the bases for this sound-world, quite divorced from "renaissance" or early baroque.

About 380 of the sonatas were copied in pairs, according to the composer's intentions. This is reminiscent of the practice of coupling two movements in the sonatas "a solo" by the Italian Paradisi, Rutini, Galuppi, Martini and others."

Additional information:

For this recording, Brouwer played a guitar built in 1973 by Daniel Friedrich (Paris).

Recording: D. Scarlatti. Douze sonates par Leo Brouwer. Erato: Florilège de la guitare 17 (1974) STU 70786.

Score: 12 sonatas/Domenico Scarlatti; transcribed for guitar by Leo Brouwer. Gendai Guitar Co. 1983, repr. 2004.

Please don't ask for the score -- I don't have it. It can be found at Gendai Guitar (Japan) or at Guitar Solo Publications (San Francisco, CA); both are on the internet.

(Many thanks to Yuri at Universo Violonístico)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Domenico
• Scarlatti
• Sonata
• K14
• L387
• 1738
• Leo
• Brouwer
• G-major
• transcription
• guitar

[grenouilleGG]

pxs109's "was" refers to the amazing Mr. Scarlatti, of course; the amazing Mr. Brouwer remains active (and will be 70 in March).

Glad you like them both!

[Cyrloud]

ça faisait des années que je cherchais ces enregistrements merci beaucoup !!!

beautifull arrangement and marvellus interpretation

[grenouilleGG]

It's surprising how many little treasures have become available through this medium. I'm glad your search ended happily!

[aaronlcguitar]

Had a master class with him in 2001 in Canada. It was an experience I will never forget. His vitality comes through his playing. Thanks for posting.

[willmouraoguitar]

can i find these transcriptions on the net?

[gonzaloruizesquide]

i've searched a long time for this music, thank you!

do you know where to get de cd?

[Mr2Jmusic]

Merci beaucoup de faire connaître cette pure merveille ! J'ai le LP chez moi; il a été longtemps mon favori et il l'est encore. Leo Brouwer est un musicien génial que j'admire beaucoup !

[riceboii101]

Wow thank you for posting this its just amazing.

[indigoblue555]

Pure delight ! Thx for sharing.

[Curatica]

I saw Brouwer one year before he retired from performing and clealy he did a comonsensical thing, because his performing abilities had diminished considerably. I could not believe he coluld have played so beautiful pieces with such a great mastership of the instrument. Thank you very much Sir!

(Pourquoi "Grenouille"? Je ne peux pas vous apppeler comme ca ... :-)).

)

[pxs109]

wow!! thanks for posting this, he was so amazing!