Domenico Scarlatti was born on 26 October 1685 (in the same year as Bach and Handel) in Naples. His gifts quickly matched his father Alessandro Scarlatti, who was his first teacher. Domenico held various posts, including that of St Peter’s, Rome. His five hundred or so keyboard sonatas are of significance in the development of keyboard music, but he composed much else, including choral music. He died in Madrid on 23 July 1757.
Ensemble. Quite a Journey - Mike Wheeler listens to David Wright's talk, followed by his performance of J S Bach's 'Goldberg Variations'
Ensemble. Top of the Liszt - Robert McCarney marvels at the music making of young Kosovar pianist Melisa Ibrahimi
Spotlight. Sumptuously Fragile Sounds - Gerald Fenech joyously recommends keyboard music from Handel's home in London. 'Technically flawless performances ...'
Ensemble. Twentieth Century Colours - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by a concert given by the orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
CD Spotlight. Nobler in the Mind? - Giuseppe Pennisi finds Joseph Summer's 'Hamlet' a musical hodgepodge. '... almost in late Romantic style.'
Ensemble. Dancing Vivaldi during Social Distancing - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's Circus Maximus
Ensemble. Beethoven String Quartets - Giuseppe Pennisi attends two concerts marking this year's Beethoven anniversary
Ensemble. Trade Secrets - Mike Wheeler listens to guitarist Craig Ogden and friends
CD Spotlight. A Splendid Compendium - Iberian concertos and sonatas, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... finely and eloquently played by an ensemble that is passionately committed to creating a sound world that never ages.'
Ensemble. Emotional Complexities - Alexei Grynyuk plays Scarlatti, Chopin, Rachmaninov and Schubert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Elegantly Presented - Mike Wheeler listens to pianist Ji Liu
Ensemble. A Study in Dislocation - Mike Wheeler listens to Chopin, Debussy, Ligeti, Liszt, Grigory Ginzburg and Scarlatti, played by Isata Kanneh-Mason
Ensemble. Old and New - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Siena's Chigiana International Festival
CD Spotlight. Expertly Sculpted - James Brawn's time traveller recital delights Andrew Schartmann. 'Each time a passage repeats ... Brawn shows us something new.'
Ensemble. Wit and Effervescence - Music in the Time of Goya, by Derek Murray
Consummate Elegance - Mike Wheeler listens to Sarah Beth Briggs
CD Spotlight. Dazzling Tracks - Dinu Lipatti, heard by Joanne Chang. '... skillfully and brilliantly carried out.'
DVD Spotlight. Curiously Uninvolved - Thibault Cauvin's travels in China, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a catalogue of missed opportunities.'
Emotional Impressions - Bill Newman listens to Neapolitan pianist Clelia Cafiero
CD Spotlight. Modest Performances - A guitar recital by Stephen Reck, heard by Patric Standford. '... a competent and varied presentation ...'
Ensemble. Rapturous Praises - Yasmin Rowe, Sarah Sew and Tadashi Imai at London's Wigmore Hall, heard by Bill Newman
DVD Spotlight. Seldom Equalled - Michelangeli plays Beethoven, Galuppi and Scarlatti, and impresses Howard Smith. 'His relentless perfectionism allows him spellbinding precision ...'
Vigour and Energy - Benjamin Frith saves the day, heard by Mike Wheeler
Wondrously Expansive - Ronan Magill's recital at London's Wigmore Hall impresses Robert Anderson
Ensemble. A Fascinating Work - The first performance of Gabriel Jackson's Requiem, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Style and concept - Two young pianists of outstanding promise, by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Bravura virtuosity - Lawrence Budmen was at the Miami International Piano Festival
CD Spotlight - Capritio. Instrumental music from the 17th Century, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. '... ensemble playing at its best. O'Dette is an outstanding performer.'