This Sonata, like many others in the 14th Venice volume of 1742 where it was originally preserved, and like some of those in the Roseingrave 1739 London publication of Scarlatti keyboard works, almost certainly dates to the composer's years in Italy, the homeland he departed in late 1719 for Portugal. This judgment is substantiated by the fact that the Sonata in F major here appeared as a second-movement Toccata, attributed to Scarlatti, in a four-movement suite Carlos de Seixas assembled in Lisbon in 1720. The Sonata has the characteristics of a toccata and brims with that youthful spirit and vivaciousness so typical of the composer's early keyboard works.

The Sonata in F major opens modestly, bouncing along on single repeated ascending notes that spawn lively swirls and sparkling cascades of other notes, igniting the sonic landscape with a playful, joyous sense. The repeated notes form a springy motif that permeates the entire piece with a blissful busyness, with a vivacious, sun-filled drive. Scarlatti's deft contrapuntal writing and sophisticated sense of keyboard color add to the fun here, and the work offers a considerable challenge to the performer as well. This Sonata typically lasts about two minutes.

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