Sonata, K. 513, “Pastorale”
5 min
Recording
- Moderato – Molto allegro; PrestoEliza Hansen, harpsichord · 22–23 October 1953, Beethovensaal, Hannover5:24
Scarlatti’s Sonata in C major, K. 513, “Pastorale”, opens with a Moderato melody, changes to a Molto allegro dance and ends with a Presto in running semiquavers. Eliza Hansen plays the complete two-movement work on the harpsichord.
Listening notes
- Opening Pastorale, twelve-eight
Scarlatti marked the opening Pastorale and Moderato. The metre is twelve-eight, and short dotted figures pass between the hands. Flats and sharps soon enter the opening C major.
- Molto allegro, repeated bass chords
The Molto allegro keeps the twelve-eight metre and adds repeated chords in the bass beneath the melody. The right hand answers with short figures, and the pastoral tune takes on a faster dance rhythm.
- Venice manuscript, 1756
A copy made in 1756 closes the twelfth Venice volume of Scarlatti’s sonatas. The manuscript was prepared for Maria Bárbara, Queen of Spain. This pastorale fills its final pages.
- Presto in three-eight
The second movement changes to three-eight and Presto. Semiquaver runs pass from the right hand to the left, while the other hand holds a note or plays shorter phrases.