Sonata, K. 380

1754, Venice copy · K. 380 · Keyboard

The piece moves in a measured triple time, with calls on repeated notes. The writing lies comfortably under two hands.

6 min

Recording

Andante commodoMarcelle Meyer, piano · November 1954, Salle Adyar, Paris
5:31
Scarlatti’s Sonata in E major, K. 380, marked Andante commodo, is in triple time, with trills on its repeated notes and sudden runs up the keyboard. Marcelle Meyer plays it on the piano.
Listening notes · joins
1. Opening phrase with trills
  The opening phrase steps down, followed by three repeated notes, each with a trill. The three-beat metre stays clear. The hands take turns with the short descending figure before the runs begin.
2. Arrival in Lisbon, 1719
  Scarlatti arrived in Lisbon on 29 November 1719. At the palace he sang while Queen Maria Anna accompanied him. Among his new pupils was her daughter Maria Bárbara, whose service later took him to Spain.
3. Repeat of the opening, bar 40
  The first half has reached B major, a fifth above the home key. At the repeat in bar 40, E major returns with the descending phrase and its three trills from bars 1–⁠4. For the first few bars the left hand rests and the right hand plays alone.
4. Address to the reader, 1738
  In the address to the reader of his Essercizi, published in 1738, Scarlatti offered “art’s ingenious play” to develop fluency at the harpsichord. The invitation was addressed to amateurs and professionals alike.
5. Opening of the second half
  The second half begins in B major, the key in which the first half ended. The left hand plays repeated bass notes and the right hand has a new phrase. The metre is still triple, and the music now moves towards E major.
6. Repeat of the second half
  After the cadence in E major, the piano returns to the start of the second half, and the repeated notes and quick ornaments are played again. The sonata ends at bar 78 with a falling run, a trill and a final E in the bass.
Joins
1. From B major back to E major
  A descending run and a trill close the first half in B major. At the repeat the right hand plays the opening E major phrase again, which begins with three repeated trills. The left hand rests for the first four bars.
2. Second half begins in B major
  The first half closes in B major, and the new phrase that opens the second half is also in B major. The left hand moves from the held cadential bass into repeated notes. Above it, the right hand plays short repeated notes and a rising run.
3. E major close and return to B
  The final descending run ends on E, with the same note low in the bass. When the repeat is taken, the music returns to the B major opening of the second half. After the held ending, the left hand resumes its regular three-beat accompaniment.
Open in the Concert Hall

More by Scarlatti

Joins