Composer. The son of Alessandro Scarlatti, he was born in Naples and became organist of the Royal Chapel there when he was 16. He was "maestro di cappella" at St. Peter's in Rome from 1715 to 1719, and he later travelled to London and Lisbon. In 1729 Scarlatti went to Madrid to serve as music master to the princess Maria Magdalena Barbara, and remained there the rest of his life. Scarlatti was the most famous harpsichord virtuoso of his time. He introduced several new techniques of keyboard playing, including runs, arpeggios, and crossing of hands, and his skill was said to have been so dazzling that some believed he was possessed by the devil. In Rome his rivalry with Handel culminated in a talent contest between them, held at the palace of Cardinal Ottoboni. It ended in a draw, with Scarlatti claiming supremacy at the harpsichord and Handel winning on the organ. It is hardly surprising, then, that while Scarlatti composed in almost every musical form, his fame rests on his keyboard works. His book "Essercizi" ("Excercises", 1738), was hailed throughout Europe and influenced Bach's "Goldberg Variations"; but his sonatas - 555 in all - are the real peak of his achievement. They are considered the most harmonically advanced compositions up to then and are still played today. Scarlatti's sonatas have been recorded many times on both harpsichord and modern piano.
Composer. The son of Alessandro Scarlatti, he was born in Naples and became organist of the Royal Chapel there when he was 16. He was "maestro di cappella" at St. Peter's in Rome from 1715 to 1719, and he later travelled to London and Lisbon. In 1729 Scarlatti went to Madrid to serve as music master to the princess Maria Magdalena Barbara, and remained there the rest of his life. Scarlatti was the most famous harpsichord virtuoso of his time. He introduced several new techniques of keyboard playing, including runs, arpeggios, and crossing of hands, and his skill was said to have been so dazzling that some believed he was possessed by the devil. In Rome his rivalry with Handel culminated in a talent contest between them, held at the palace of Cardinal Ottoboni. It ended in a draw, with Scarlatti claiming supremacy at the harpsichord and Handel winning on the organ. It is hardly surprising, then, that while Scarlatti composed in almost every musical form, his fame rests on his keyboard works. His book "Essercizi" ("Excercises", 1738), was hailed throughout Europe and influenced Bach's "Goldberg Variations"; but his sonatas - 555 in all - are the real peak of his achievement. They are considered the most harmonically advanced compositions up to then and are still played today. Scarlatti's sonatas have been recorded many times on both harpsichord and modern piano.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Family Members
Parents
Advertisement
See more Scarlatti memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
