Which Instrument for Scarlatti's Music?

[orbital]

I find modern solo piano music fatiguing after a while, whereas a nice-toned harpsichord I can listen to all day.

This must be the most solid argument about relativity that I have yet seen 

[Ten thumbs]

I must perforce use my piano. There are virtually no dynamic indications and one must use one's discretion. However, absolutely no sustaining pedal! (The soft pedal has its uses)

[jochanaan]

I seem to have gotten here too late to vote, but just once I'd like to hear Domenico's music on clavichord.

[prémont]

Or organ, at least for some of the Sonatas.

[Que]

Or organ, at least for some of the Sonatas.

Do you know this one? I like it!



Andrea Marcon
Organo Callido (1778/79) Tempio monumentale di San Nicolò, Treviso


Q

[prémont]

No, only so far that I know, it exists. I have not yet considered to put it on my wish-list, as I think Scarlatti generally is best served by the harpsichord. Maybe Marcon could change that, but at the moment there are so many other things, I want to get hold of.

[Que]

No, only so far that I know, it exists. I have not yet considered to put it on my wish-list, as I think Scarlatti is served best by the harpsichord. Maybe Marcon could change that, but at the moment there are so many other things, I want to get hold of.

Well, I wouldn't consider it a must-have - it accidentely crossed my way (for a few eureos).
But it's quite interesting to hear some sonatas performed on organ - changes them radically in character.
And Marcon is is of course an excellent player.

Q

[Guido]

On the Wikipedia page it says that Scarlatti intended some of the sonatas for small ensemble. Which ones are these?

Also I would be very interested to read Shostakovich's and Bartok's comments on Scarlatti (also mentioned on the wiki page):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Scarlatti

[Monsieur Croche]

I would have voted for the harpsichord.

The harpsichord not only allows the different 'voices' to be heard with greater clarity but also brings out more of the colour and the playful quality in some of the sonatas! (Strange, given that the modern piano is supposed to possess a greater range of colour). Sadly I can never listen to the instrument for too long at one go... 

Personally, having recently got hold of the first two volumes (12 CDs) of my old piano teacher Richard Lester's new complete cycle (this is the first truly complete cycle, performed mostly on harpsichord)...

That is great; I'm looking to expand my Scarlatti collection, but am not too keen to duplicate.

[ChamberNut]

I would have voted for gasoline and match, but those options weren't available.

jk 

[FideLeo]

I would have voted for gasoline and match, but those options weren't available.

jk 

castagnets will do (very well), I think 
and I have heard a recording or two on a bandoneon (accordion, concertina)
rather wonderful, too.

[Ten thumbs]

If performers are recording Scarlatti on pianofortes, it seems reasonable that we also hear Beethoven played on a harpsichord. Incidentally, there were quite a number of different models of harpsichord, so we could also argue about which one is most appropriate.

[FideLeo]

If performers are recording Scarlatti on pianofortes, it seems reasonable that we also hear Beethoven played on a harpsichord. Incidentally, there were quite a number of different models of harpsichord, so we could also argue about which one is most appropriate.

I recall that Hogwood was ready to record Beethoven on clavichords ("Secret Beethoven") but the album seems never to have been released in any case.  Also "Secret Haydn" never came out.  A pity, because I actually like the other released instalments in the "Secret" series: Bach, Handel, Mozart.  Especially new harpsichord Scarlatti recordings have been made on Iberian or Italian instruments.

[anasazi]

Since I detest the sound of the Harpsichord, I will vote piano (also since I am a pianist ;-).

I recommend either Horowitz or Queffelec CDs (on modern piano).   

[Josquin des Prez]

I seem to have gotten here too late to vote, but just once I'd like to hear Domenico's music on clavichord.

No, you don't. Nobody wants to listen to clavichords. I just recently acquired one of the volumes in the ongoing C.E.P. Bach's series of complete keyboard works and it's just terrible, terrible stuff. It's like trying to listen to an harpsichord stuffed with feathers playing on a building across the street. This is HIP taken to the next idiotic level.

[Don]

No, you don't. Nobody wants to listen to clavichords. I just recently acquired one of the volumes in the ongoing C.E.P. Bach's series of complete keyboard works and it's just terrible, terrible stuff. It's like trying to listen to an harpsichord stuffed with feathers playing on a building across the street. This is HIP taken to the next idiotic level.

Boy, you guys are rather picky.  I can and have listened all day to the modern piano, clavichord, pedal organ, fortepiano, organ, harpsichord, etc.  It's acoustic guitars that try my patience.

[12tone.]

On the radio in the morning on the way to work they played some Scarlatti music with guitar.  Unless he actually wrote the piece for guitar, why use it?  I mean, it was okay...it seemed to fit, but it's still strange. 

Since the poll is closed I'm going to have to stick with HIPness and say harpsichord.  Harpsichords are just so juicy like an orange or a ... watermelon.  On a summer day's afternoon    Ohhh man 

What is a tangent piano? 

[lukeottevanger]

No, you don't. Nobody wants to listen to clavichords. I just recently acquired one of the volumes in the ongoing C.E.P. Bach's series of complete keyboard works and it's just terrible, terrible stuff. It's like trying to listen to an harpsichord stuffed with feathers playing on a building across the street. This is HIP taken to the next idiotic level.

Well, of course, it is true that the clavichord (Bach's favourite instrument according to some sources) is for those with more subtle, developed tastes...   

[lukeottevanger]

(but it's emphatically wrong wrong wrong for Scarlatti)

[FideLeo]

(but it's emphatically wrong wrong wrong for Scarlatti)

No clavichord recording ever exists of Scarlatti...unless I am wrong