Listen & tracks
3 of 23 tracks have a preview · 23 works · 105:54
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1 Sonata in C major, K. 420 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 4:51
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2 Sonata in C major, K. 132 Domenico Scarlatti Cantabile 7:03
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3 Sonata in A minor, K. 54 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 4:13
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4 Sonata in C major, K. 159 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 2:30
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5 Sonata in C major, K. 461 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 4:01
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6 Sonata in A minor, K. 7 Domenico Scarlatti Presto 4:51
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7 Sonata in E minor, K. 263 Domenico Scarlatti Andante 5:11
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8 Sonata in D minor, K. 517 Domenico Scarlatti Prestissimo 3:31
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9 Sonata in G minor, K. 426 Domenico Scarlatti Andante 6:23
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10 Sonata in C minor, K. 84 Domenico Scarlatti 3:06
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11 Sonata in F minor, K. 239 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 2:59
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201 Sonata in F major, K. 366 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 4:30
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202 Sonata in B-flat major, K. 545 Domenico Scarlatti Prestissimo 3:20
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203 Sonata in G major, K. 14 Domenico Scarlatti Presto 2:51
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204 Sonata in A major, K. 209 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 4:19
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205 Sonata in D major, K. 492 Domenico Scarlatti Presto 4:14
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206 Sonata in E major, K. 216 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 6:17
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207 Sonata in D major, K. 490 Domenico Scarlatti Cantabile 8:20
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208 Sonata in B minor, K. 87 Domenico Scarlatti 5:01
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209 Sonata in D major, K. 119 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 5:56
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210 Sonata in B minor, K. 27 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro 3:48
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211 Sonata in D major, K. 96 Domenico Scarlatti Allegrissimo 5:22
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212 Sonata in D major, K. 435 Domenico Scarlatti Allegro (Envoi) 3:17
CD-1 opens with five sonatas around the parallel tonic C/a, then six around related minor tonalities up to four flats.
CD-2 begins with six sonatas around related major tonalities up to four sharps, and closes with five sonatas plus one envoi around the parallel tonic D/b, arguably Scarlatti’s most expressive and varied tonal area.
Each grouping is assigned to a different Steinway concert grand, matched to the tonal and voicing character of the four University of Melbourne Conservatorium Steinway Model Ds. These are the instruments in regular concert use around the Conservatorium building opened in 2019.
Reviews
Holtham captures well the breath-taking range of Scarlatti’s imagination. He draws us towards redolent Iberian air in the C Major K. 461, peppers us with flamenco guitar-like figuration in the D Major K. 492, and delights us with the piquant discords and novel modulations of the A Minor K. 7. The vitality of rhythmic and melodic invention of the F Minor K. 239 are displayed with complete aplomb. And in all of this Holtham’s crystal-clear articulation, impressive technical prowess, and thoughtful interpretative touches are constantly on display. The final work, the rarely heard D Major K. 435, Holtham gives with dazzling dexterity, and describes in his sleeve note as his envoi.
... his playing is brilliant and many of the works featured on the CD are extremely difficult technically, particularly the superb K435 ...
Holtham provides extensive and welcome liner notes to outline both his project and his personal connection to the Scarlatti sonatas. Holtham’s approach is ingenious, clearly conceived and brings new insights to the musical world of Scarlatti. Holtham gathers the sonatas by tonality, into ‘four baroque tonal groupings’. A further consideration is the ‘tonal and voicing attributes’ of the 4 Steinway pianos at his disposal. Scarlatti’s music shares with Schubert the sudden alternation of full, sunlit passages, suddenly suppressed by a dark, inner melancholy. In such moments Holtham creates haunting, innerlich sonorities, which conjure up colours that I have all too rarely experienced from a Steinway Model D. Holtham manages to coax the Iberian coast, complete with flamenco references and guitar reminiscences from his Steinways. Like a chef, he has carefully matched the timbre of the respective instruments to the groups of sonatas that he has created. When I listen to the various groups, I hear not one piano but many – as the multifarious moods of Scarlatti’s sonatas are revealed. For me, the best renditions of the Scarlatti sonatas are those that cause the instrument on which they are performed to disappear, and I prefer to experience Holtham’s recordings in this way rather than to analyse the timbral qualities of four different instruments. That, from this reviewer is the ultimate compliment to the creator of these discs, which are highly recommended to all who have fallen, or conspire to fall under the spell of Domenico Scarlatti’s extraordinary output.
Artists
Domenico Scarlatti
composer
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) was an Italian composer who spent much of his career at the Portuguese and Spanish courts. He is known almost exclusively for his 555 keyboard sonatas.
Ian Holtham
piano
Professor Ian Holtham is one of Australia’s most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues. His performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have drawn packed houses and strong critical acclaim for many years.
Digital booklet
Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDFPerformers
- Ian Holtham · piano
Technical credits
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Producer
Thomas Grubb
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Thanks to
University of Melbourne
Details
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 105 minutes 54 seconds
- Release date
- 7 Oct 2021
- Category
- Classical
- Genre
- Baroque
- Musical work copyright
- © 2021 Move Records
- Sound recording copyright
- ℗ 2021 Move Records
- Catalogue
- MD 3458
- EAN
- 9314574345827
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