Album

This four-disc set begins the reissue of a complete recording of Domenico Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas, recorded between 2000 and 2004 and originally issued on an unwieldy collection of single discs on the tiny Privilege Accord label. The complete oeuvre runs to 38 CDs, which will now be packaged in seven boxes. Some may mistrust any classical project that describes itself with the word "marathon," but the endless variety of Scarlatti's sonatas compels the skeptic to make an exception; a complete set turns up any number of deliciously bizarre pieces like the Sonata in A minor, K. 3, from the Essercizi per gravicembalo (CD 1, track 3), with its cascades of five-note runs meandering out into strange chromatic lines. There are several complete sets on the market, but Lester's is the one that consistently pushes boundaries. His playing is intense, sharp, and powerfully rhythmic. Sonatas with hints of Spanish dance rhythms (or more than hints, as in the Sonata in E major, K. 28 [CD 2, track 13]) emphasize those rhythms, and virtuoso pieces such as those published in the Essercizi strain forward in the fast passages. Lester uses a variety of instruments in the set, making the unorthodox decision to employ organ or fortepiano in other volumes, but here sticking to several harpsichords with a powerful, percussive tone. All these traits add up to an interpretation that portrays Scarlatti as an almost Lisztian virtuoso—an interpretation to which his music certainly stands up. Restraint is not necessarily a virtue with this composer who combined flashy virtuosity with groundbreaking stylistic innovation.

© James Manheim, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.1, L.366 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in D-, K.1, L.366	2:33			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.2, L.388 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in G, K.2, L.388	2:15			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.3, L.378 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in A-, K.3, L.378	3:26			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.4, L.390 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in G-, K.4, L.390	3:47			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.5, L.367 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in D-, K.5, L.367	3:19			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.6, L.479 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in F, K.6, L.479	3:09			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.7, L.379 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in A-, K.7, L.379	5:37			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.8, L.488 ('Bucolic') Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in G-, K.8, L.488 ('Bucolic')	3:19			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.9, L.413 ('Pastorale') Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in D-, K.9, L.413 ('Pastorale')	3:39			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.10, L.370 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in D-, K.10, L.370	2:55			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.11, L.352 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in C-, K.11, L.352	2:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.12, L.489 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in G-, K.12, L.489	3:53			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.13, L.486 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in G, K.13, L.486	4:46			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.14, L.387 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
14	Sonata in G, K.14, L.387	3:17			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E-, K.15, L.374 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
15	Sonata in E-, K.15, L.374	3:10			$0.99
CD 2 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.16, L.397 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in Bb, K.16, L.397	5:19			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.17, L.384 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in F, K.17, L.384	4:30			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.18, L.416 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in D-, K.18, L.416	3:30			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.19, L.393 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in F-, K.19, L.393	4:39			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E, K.20, L.375 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in E, K.20, L.375	3:32			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.21, L.363 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in D, K.21, L.363	6:55			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.22, L.360 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in C-, K.22, L.360	3:40			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.23, L.411 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in D, K.23, L.411	5:11			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A, K.24, L.495 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in A, K.24, L.495	4:59			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F#-, K.25, L.481 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in F#-, K.25, L.481	5:30			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A, K.26, L.368 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in A, K.26, L.368	4:27			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in B-, K.27, L.449 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in B-, K.27, L.449	4:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E, K.28, L.373 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in E, K.28, L.373	3:42			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.29, L.461 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
14	Sonata in D, K.29, L.461	5:37			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.30, L.499 Work Recorded 2004 Richard Lester Harpsichord
15	Sonata in G-, K.30, L.499	4:13			$0.99
CD 3 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.148, L.64 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in A-, K.148, L.64	5:49			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.149, L.93 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in A-, K.149, L.93	2:38			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.150, L.117 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in F, K.150, L.117	3:40			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.151, L.330 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in F, K.151, L.330	5:21			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.152, L.179 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in G, K.152, L.179	2:42			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.153, L.445 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in G, K.153, L.445	1:55			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.154, L.96 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in Bb, K.154, L.96	3:40			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.155, L.197 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in Bb, K.155, L.197	3:31			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.156, L.101 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in C, K.156, L.101	4:30			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.157, L.405 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in C, K.157, L.405	3:31			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.158, L.4 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in C-, K.158, L.4	6:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.159, L.104 ('La caccia') Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in C, K.159, L.104 ('La caccia')	2:36			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.160, L.15 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in D, K.160, L.15	6:40			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.161, L.417 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
14	Sonata in D, K.161, L.417	3:47			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E, K.162, L.21 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
15	Sonata in E, K.162, L.21	6:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E, K.163, L.63 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
16	Sonata in E, K.163, L.63	1:58			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.164, L.59 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
17	Sonata in D, K.164, L.59	7:27			$0.99
CD 4 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.165, L.52 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in C, K.165, L.52	5:06			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.166, L.51 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in C, K.166, L.51	5:38			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.167, L.329 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in F, K.167, L.329	6:00			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.168, L.280 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in F, K.168, L.280	4:29			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.169, L.331 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in G, K.169, L.331	4:44			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.170, L.303 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in C, K.170, L.303	6:59			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.171, L.77 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in G, K.171, L.77	2:57			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.172, L.S40 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in Bb, K.172, L.S40	6:58			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in B-, K.173, L.447 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in B-, K.173, L.447	5:02			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.174, L.410 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in C-, K.174, L.410	5:07			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.175, L.429 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in A-, K.175, L.429	4:04			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.129, L.460 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in C-, K.129, L.460	4:58			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.176, L.163 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in D-, K.176, L.163	7:28			$0.99
CD 5 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.177, L.364 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in D, K.177, L.364	4:52			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.178, L.162 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in D, K.178, L.162	2:08			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.179, L.177 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in G-, K.179, L.177	3:50			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.180, L.272 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in G, K.180, L.272	3:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A, K.181, L.194 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in A, K.181, L.194	6:11			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A, K.182, L.139 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in A, K.182, L.139	3:22			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.183, L.473 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in F-, K.183, L.473	5:51			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.184, L.189 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in F-, K.184, L.189	5:31			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.185, L.173 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in F-, K.185, L.173	4:52			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.186, L.72 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in F-, K.186, L.72	2:58			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F-, K.187, L.285 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in F-, K.187, L.285	5:07			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.49, L.301 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in C, K.49, L.301	6:56			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.139, L.6 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in C-, K.139, L.6	6:28			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C-, K.99, L.317 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
14	Sonata in C-, K.99, L.317	5:40			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E-, K.98, L.325 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
15	Sonata in E-, K.98, L.325	3:36			$0.99
CD 6 of 6
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D, K.140, L.107 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
1	Sonata in D, K.140, L.107	4:32			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in A-, K.188, L.239 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
2	Sonata in A-, K.188, L.239	5:57			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.189, L.143 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
3	Sonata in Bb, K.189, L.143	4:35			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Bb, K.190, L.250 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
4	Sonata in Bb, K.190, L.250	3:24			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in D-, K.191, L.207 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
5	Sonata in D-, K.191, L.207	3:54			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Eb, K.192, L.216 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
6	Sonata in Eb, K.192, L.216	5:39			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in Eb, K.193, L.142 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
7	Sonata in Eb, K.193, L.142	5:26			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.194, L.28 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
8	Sonata in F, K.194, L.28	8:52			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in F, K.195, L.S18 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
9	Sonata in F, K.195, L.S18	4:41			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G-, K.196, L.38 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
10	Sonata in G-, K.196, L.38	3:21			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in B-, K.197, L.147 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
11	Sonata in B-, K.197, L.147	5:19			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in E-, K.198, L.22 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
12	Sonata in E-, K.198, L.22	2:44			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.199, L.253 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
13	Sonata in C, K.199, L.253	6:06			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in C, K.200, L.54 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
14	Sonata in C, K.200, L.54	4:15			$0.99
Domenico Scarlatti Composer Sonata in G, K.201, L.129 Work Recorded 2001 Richard Lester Harpsichord
15	Sonata in G, K.201, L.129	4:36			$0.99