Scarlatti is often rightly cited as one of the most original keyboard composers of all time, largely because of numerous innovative stylistic features he introduced. But his music encompassed a wide array of moods, too, from the dark and melancholy, to the urgent and driven, to songful and folkish, and to the graceful and elegant. This Sonata in E major falls into the latter realm, having an abundance of grace and elegance even if in their joyful anxiety they verge at times on the rowdy and mischievous. Marked Allegro, the sonata opens with a delicate, playful theme whose exuberant patter and graceful trills brim with sunshine and cheer. At times, the music winds down to catch its breath, but quickly revives and returns at full energy to its jaunty elegance. Midway through, Scarlatti begins developing his themes, giving certain aspects of them a bit more muscle, but also managing to convey an impish sense in places. The mood remains lively and the music simply effervesces right up to the delightful ending. This utterly charming sonata typically has a duration of just over four minutes.

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