Preserved in the third Venice volume, dated 1753, this Sonata is almost certainly a late work, having likely been written around 1750. It is amazing that, at least according to Ralph Kirkpatrick's numbering system, Scarlatti would compose over 300 additional keyboard sonatas before his death in 1757, more than half of his remaining output in the genre. This Sonata in B minor is unusual in one respect in that Scarlatti changes its meter in the latter half, moving from 2/4 to 3/8. It is an elegant, rather playful work in its expository half, but a frenetic, anxious piece in its developmental portion, almost coming across as a Jekyll-and-Hyde creation.

The Sonata opens with a lively, graceful theme that immediately yields contrapuntal elements. For all its sense of sunshine and elegance, though, it conveys an introverted character in its restraint and slightly wistful manner. After the thematic material is presented twice, the music changes gears, the 3/8 timing ushering in a breathless pacing and refreshing but almost roller-coaster effervescence. The contrast will convey the feeling to some listeners there are two works in one here, but the thematic ties clearly bind the two halves and the developmental half shows Scarlatti to be especially imaginative and bold. This Sonata typically lasts about five minutes.

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