Vladimir Horowitz: The Complete Masterworks Recordings, Volume II - The Celebrated Scarlatti Recordings

Domenico Scarlatti (Composer), Vladimir Horowitz (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Vladimir Horowitz
• Composer: Domenico Scarlatti
• Audio CD (June 14, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B00000290B
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,169 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 33 (L. 424)

2. Sonata for keyboard in A minor, K. 54 (L. 241)

3. Sonata for keyboard in F major, K. 525 (L. 188)

4. Sonata for keyboard in F minor, K. 466 (L. 118)

5. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 146 (L. 349)

6. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 96 (L. 465) 'La caccia'

7. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 162 (L. 21)

8. Sonata for keyboard in E flat major, K. 474 (L. 203)

9. Sonata for keyboard in E minor, K. 198 (L. 22)

10. Sonata for keyboard in D major, K. 491 (L. 164)

11. Sonata for keyboard in F minor, K. 481 (L. 187)

12. Sonata for keyboard in A major, K. 39 (L. 391)

13. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 547 (L. S28)

14. Sonata for keyboard in B minor, K. 197 (L. 147)

15. Sonata for keyboard in F sharp minor, K. 25 (L. 481)

16. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 52 (L. 267)

17. Sonata for keyboard in G major, K. 201 (L. 129)

18. Sonata for keyboard in C minor, K. 303 (L. 9)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horowitz was a revolutionary in his Scarlatti interpretation, August 7, 2002

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vladimir Horowitz: The Complete Masterworks Recordings, Volume II - The Celebrated Scarlatti Recordings (Audio CD)

Horowitz caused sensation and consternation throughout his glorious and mercurial career. He recording Clementi sonatas when no one was even remembering them and made a compelling case for keeping some of them in the repertoire.

He did even more for Domenico Scarlatti. Scarlatti was a favorite in the harpsichord revivalist crowd, but when Horowitz showed how it could sound on the piano people were polarized. Purists hated it and said it would be like re-painting the Mona Lisa in day-glo paints. Others loved and raved about the music and felt it was perfectly natural music for the piano.

While there are certainly some who hold on to the orthodox faith of Scarlatti on any keyboard but the piano, the majority know their Scarlatti from pianists such as Horowitz and nowadays MANY MANY others.

But there is still, for me, something special about the way Horowitz plays this music. I was fortunate enough to hear him play three times in live performance. The one thing that struck me most about his playing was how incredibly soft he could play and still fill the hall. And he had more gradations of tone than any other of the hundreds of pianists I have ever heard. By a long shot.

This tonal subtlety is heard in these recordings. Compare his Scarlatti with anyone else's and you will have to admit there is more color in Horowitz's interpretation than in any other. You may not like it, but it is there.

I love it. And so do most others who hear it.

You owe it to yourself to have this disk in your collection.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tasty Gems, July 23, 2000

By 

grandpiano_57 "James" (Burlington, CT USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Vladimir Horowitz: The Complete Masterworks Recordings, Volume II - The Celebrated Scarlatti Recordings (Audio CD)

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) wrote some 550 sonata's for harpsichord. These pieces were very advanced harmonically and rhythmically and are truly ground breaking for their time. In these legendary recordings, Horowitz reveals the wonderful musicality found in these works, playing with a pure sense of discovery, taste and profound finesse. The charming performances on this recording were responsible for introducing Scarlatti's creative works to a public that had long since forgotten his music. While written for the harpsichord, these wonderful keyboard pieces, when played with the refined taste displayed here, transform beautifully into piano miniatures. Horowitz never falters in his taste and attack on this solid sounding set. With 19 sonata's and 72 minutes of well conceived music, this is a purchase you will enjoy.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous miniatures, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vladimir Horowitz: The Complete Masterworks Recordings, Volume II - The Celebrated Scarlatti Recordings (Audio CD)

After collecting Horowitz for years, this is probably my favorite album. None of the pyrotechnics of the Carmen Variations here, just a watchmaker's precision alloyed with a painterly eye. These colourful pieces are a real highlights selection from the ~550 keyboard sonatas that Scarlatti wrote.