Mémorudom sur Domenico Scarlatti (1685 – 1757)

Aperçu

Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) était un compositeur et claviériste virtuose italien, surtout connu pour ses sonates pour clavier innovantes et techniquement exigeantes. Il fut l’un des compositeurs les plus importants de la période baroque et une figure influente dans le développement de la musique pour clavier. Voici un aperçu de sa vie et de ses contributions :

Jeunesse et éducation

Naissance : Scarlatti est né à Naples le 26 octobre 1685. Il est le sixième des dix enfants d’Alessandro Scarlatti, compositeur d’opéra renommé et figure de proue de l’école napolitaine.
Formation : Scarlatti a probablement étudié auprès de son père, ainsi que d’autres musiciens éminents de l’époque, et a démontré un talent musical prodigieux dès son plus jeune âge.

Faits saillants de la carrière

Rendez-vous anticipés :

En 1701, à l’âge de 16 ans, Scarlatti devient organiste et compositeur à la chapelle royale de Naples.
Il travaille ensuite à Venise, à Rome et dans d’autres villes italiennes, se forgeant une réputation de musicien et de compositeur talentueux.

Déménager vers la péninsule Ibérique :

En 1719, il se rendit à Lisbonne pour servir de maître de musique à la princesse portugaise Maria Barbara. Ce fut un tournant dans sa carrière.
Lorsque Maria Barbara devint reine d’Espagne, Scarlatti la suivit à Madrid, où il passa le reste de sa vie.
Sonates pour clavier :

Scarlatti est surtout connu pour ses 555 sonates pour clavier, composées principalement pour le clavecin. Ces œuvres sont réputées pour leur utilisation inventive de l’harmonie, du rythme et des techniques de clavier.
Les sonates présentent souvent des influences de la musique folklorique espagnole et portugaise, mettant en valeur des rythmes de danse vivants et des motifs mélodiques colorés.
Innovation musicale :

Ses compositions ont repoussé les limites de l’interprétation au clavier avec des croisements de mains, des gammes rapides, des arpèges et des modulations non conventionnelles, influençant des compositeurs ultérieurs tels que Haydn, Mozart et Beethoven.

Vie personnelle

Scarlatti était un homme humble et pieux qui menait une vie relativement tranquille malgré son immense talent. Sa musique n’a acquis une plus grande renommée qu’après sa mort, lorsque ses sonates ont été publiées et admirées aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles.

Héritage

Scarlatti est considéré comme une figure clé de la transition entre les périodes baroque et classique.
Ses sonates pour clavier font partie intégrante du répertoire, étudiées et jouées dans le monde entier pour leur brillance technique et leur profondeur expressive.
Souhaitez-vous explorer des aspects spécifiques de sa vie ou de son œuvre ?

Histoire

La vie de Domenico Scarlatti est une histoire de talent remarquable, d’innovation et de dévouement à la musique, qui se déroule dans certains des centres culturels les plus dynamiques de l’Europe du XVIIIe siècle. Né à Naples en 1685, la même année que Jean-Sébastien Bach et Georg Friedrich Haendel, Scarlatti grandit dans une famille de musiciens. Son père, Alessandro Scarlatti, était une figure marquante de l’opéra baroque, et le jeune Domenico fut immergé dans la musique dès son plus jeune âge.

Formé à la composition et au clavier, Domenico se distingue rapidement comme un prodige. À seulement 16 ans, il obtient un poste d’organiste et de compositeur à la chapelle royale de Naples. Mais ses ambitions et son talent ne tardent pas à le conduire au-delà de sa ville natale. À la recherche d’opportunités plus larges, Scarlatti se rend à Venise, où il côtoie l’élite musicale florissante de la ville, puis à Rome, où il acquiert une renommée pour ses talents de claveciniste et de compositeur.

À Rome, Scarlatti travaille dans la maison de la reine exilée Maria Casimira de Pologne et compose des opéras et de la musique sacrée. Pourtant, son talent au clavier le distingue des autres, lui vaut l’admiration et lui vaut de nombreux rivaux, dont une célèbre rencontre avec Haendel. Bien que leurs styles soient distincts, les deux hommes sont égaux en termes de talent et leur compétition amicale cimente la réputation de Scarlatti.

Un tournant dans la vie de Scarlatti se produit en 1719 lorsqu’il s’installe à Lisbonne. Il devient alors le professeur de musique de Maria Barbara, l’infante portugaise, qui restera une figure centrale de sa vie. Sous son patronage, Scarlatti prospère et lorsque Maria Barbara épouse le futur roi Ferdinand VI d’Espagne, il la suit à Madrid. C’est en Espagne que Scarlatti entre dans la phase la plus productive de sa carrière.

En vivant en Ibérie, Scarlatti s’est immergé dans les traditions musicales vibrantes de la région, s’inspirant de la musique folklorique espagnole et portugaise. Ses compositions ont commencé à refléter les rythmes vifs, les harmonies audacieuses et les gammes exotiques de ces traditions. Il s’est consacré à l’écriture de sonates pour clavier, créant plus de 550 pièces qui restent ses œuvres les plus célèbres. Ces sonates, écrites principalement pour le clavecin, ont mis en valeur son extraordinaire ingéniosité et repoussé les limites techniques de l’instrument. Des arpèges rapides aux croisements de mains complexes, sa musique était à la fois un plaisir à écouter et un défi à jouer.

Scarlatti a vécu une vie relativement calme et privée, dévoué à sa musique et à ses mécènes. Bien qu’il ait composé d’autres œuvres, notamment des opéras et de la musique sacrée, ce sont ses sonates pour clavier qui ont assuré son héritage. Il est décédé à Madrid en 1757, laissant derrière lui une œuvre qui a influencé des générations de compositeurs. La musique de Scarlatti a fait le pont entre les styles baroque et classique, mêlant clarté structurelle et expressivité émotionnelle, et lui a assuré une place parmi les grands compositeurs de la musique occidentale.

Caractéristiques de la musique

The music of Domenico Scarlatti is known for its originality, virtuosity, and innovative approach to composition, particularly in his keyboard works. Here are the key characteristics that define his style:

1. Keyboard Focus

Scarlatti’s legacy lies overwhelmingly in his 555 keyboard sonatas, primarily written for the harpsichord.
His sonatas are often compact, single-movement works structured in binary form, where two contrasting sections are developed and then balanced symmetrically.

2. Technical Innovation

Scarlatti’s sonatas are famous for their technical demands, including:
Rapid scales and arpeggios: Showcasing agility and precision.
Hand crossings: Frequent and dramatic, requiring the performer’s hands to leap across one another.
Extended leaps: Large intervals that test a performer’s dexterity.
Repetition of notes: Creating rhythmic intensity and vibrancy.
These techniques not only challenged performers of his time but also expanded the expressive potential of the keyboard.

3. Harmonic Boldness

Scarlatti often employed unexpected modulations and dissonances, creating surprises within his harmonic progressions.
He explored remote keys and bold harmonic shifts that were unusual for his era, providing a fresh, modern sound.

4. Rhythmic Vitality

His music often includes syncopations and rhythmic contrasts, adding energy and unpredictability.
Scarlatti was influenced by Iberian dance rhythms, which infused his sonatas with the spirit of folk dances like the jota and fandango.

5. Folk and National Influences

Living in Spain and Portugal for much of his career, Scarlatti absorbed elements of Iberian folk music:
Guitar-like strumming patterns are evoked in some sonatas.
Exotic scales, such as Phrygian modes, give his music a distinctive regional flavor.
Melodic ornamentation reminiscent of flamenco can be heard.

6. Clarity and Economy

Unlike the elaborate counterpoint of his Baroque contemporaries, Scarlatti often used simple, clear textures that focused on melody and accompaniment.
His music is highly expressive despite its relative brevity and structural simplicity.

7. Dynamic Expressiveness

Scarlatti made inventive use of the keyboard’s dynamic capabilities, even within the limited range of the harpsichord.
His music frequently contrasts playful, exuberant passages with lyrical, reflective moments.

8. Contrast and Drama

Scarlatti’s sonatas often juxtapose virtuosic brilliance with introspective charm within a single work.
He uses dramatic contrasts in texture, rhythm, and harmony to maintain interest and emotional depth.

9. Baroque to Classical Transition

While rooted in the Baroque idiom, Scarlatti’s sonatas anticipate elements of the Classical style:
They emphasize balance and clarity.
His exploration of form and expression foreshadows the works of later composers like Haydn and Mozart.

Conclusion

Domenico Scarlatti’s music combines technical mastery with emotional depth, blending the Baroque’s intricacies with forward-looking innovation. His sonatas remain a cornerstone of the keyboard repertoire, admired for their inventiveness, charm, and brilliance.

Relations to Other Composers

1. Alessandro Scarlatti (Father)

Relationship: Alessandro was Domenico’s father and a towering figure in Baroque opera. He was Domenico’s first music teacher and a major influence on his early development.

Impact: Alessandro’s focus on vocal music and his mastery of counterpoint and harmony likely shaped Domenico’s compositional foundation, even though Domenico ultimately chose a different path by focusing on keyboard music.

2. Arcangelo Corelli

Connection: While in Rome, Domenico worked in environments influenced by Corelli, who was active there earlier. Corelli’s emphasis on melody and harmonic clarity may have subtly influenced Scarlatti, but there is no evidence of direct interaction.

Overlap: Both contributed to the evolution of Baroque music in Rome, though Scarlatti’s fame grew more after Corelli’s time.

3. George Frideric Handel

Relationship: Scarlatti and Handel famously competed in a keyboard contest in Rome around 1708. According to accounts, Scarlatti was deemed superior on the harpsichord, while Handel excelled on the organ.

Mutual Respect: Scarlatti reportedly admired Handel greatly, even once exclaiming, “Handel is the greatest composer of all.” Despite their competition, the encounter reflects mutual recognition rather than rivalry.

4. Johann Sebastian Bach

Relationship: Scarlatti and Bach were contemporaries but there is no evidence they ever met. However, their birth in the same year (1685) has often invited comparisons.

Stylistic Differences: While both contributed significantly to keyboard music, Scarlatti’s focus was more on idiomatic harpsichord writing and Iberian influences, whereas Bach was rooted in German counterpoint and Lutheran traditions.

5. Maria Barbara of Portugal

Connection to Composers: Though not a composer, Maria Barbara, Scarlatti’s patron and student, played a pivotal role in his life. Through her, Scarlatti was introduced to the Spanish and Portuguese courts, where he absorbed the regional folk influences that define much of his music.

Indirect Influence: Scarlatti’s environment at the Spanish court would have exposed him to the works of other court composers, though their names are less prominent in the historical record.

6. Other Neapolitan Composers

Francesco Durante et Leonardo Leo : Scarlatti partageait un lien culturel avec ces compositeurs napolitains, car ils ont tous contribué à l’essor de la musique dans le sud de l’Italie. Cependant, il n’existe aucune preuve documentée de collaborations ou d’interactions directes.

7. Antonio Soler

Relation : Soler, compositeur et moine espagnol, a été directement influencé par Scarlatti. Bien que leurs époques ne se soient pas vraiment recoupées, Soler a étudié les sonates de Scarlatti et a adopté des techniques similaires dans ses propres œuvres, perpétuant ainsi l’héritage de Scarlatti dans la musique pour clavier ibérique.

Résumé

Les liens étroits de Scarlatti avec des compositeurs comme Alessandro Scarlatti et Haendel reflètent une vie façonnée par le mentorat familial et des rencontres prestigieuses. Si sa musique s’écarte de celle de ses contemporains comme Bach et Haendel, son style novateur a jeté les bases des générations futures, influençant des compositeurs comme Antonio Soler et même des maîtres de l’ère classique.

En tant que joueur de clavier

Domenico Scarlatti n’était pas seulement un compositeur révolutionnaire, mais aussi un claviériste virtuose, réputé pour son extraordinaire talent et sa technique inventive. Ses talents au clavier ont fait partie intégrante de son héritage, façonnant ses compositions et influençant l’évolution de l’interprétation au clavier.

Maîtrise et Virtuosité

Prouesses techniques :

Scarlatti était célèbre pour ses compétences techniques inégalées. Il a repoussé les limites du jeu au clavier avec des techniques révolutionnaires pour son époque. Ses sonates comprennent souvent des gammes rapides, des arpèges, des croisements de mains et de grands sauts, qui reflètent tous ses propres capacités d’interprète.
Les récits contemporains soulignent sa fluidité et sa précision, qui étaient essentielles pour exécuter ses œuvres pour clavier complexes et très idiomatiques.

Croisements de main :

L’une des techniques de prédilection de Scarlatti était l’utilisation spectaculaire de croisements de mains, où une main saute par-dessus l’autre pour jouer des notes de l’autre côté du clavier. Cela mettait non seulement en valeur sa dextérité, mais créait également des textures et des effets uniques.

Ludique, rythmique et dynamique :

Son jeu est marqué par une vitalité rythmique et une utilisation expressive de la dynamique, apportant énergie et couleur à ses performances. Bien que le clavecin ait une gamme dynamique limitée, Scarlatti a exploité ses capacités à créer des contrastes et des nuances.

Innovations dans la technique du clavier

Doigté non conventionnel :

Les sonates de Scarlatti ont souvent obligé les interprètes à adopter des doigtés innovants pour répondre aux exigences techniques. Cela a encouragé les musiciens à repenser les techniques de clavier standard.
Large gamme de claviers :

Scarlatti a su exploiter pleinement la gamme du clavecin, explorant les registres aigus et graves plus largement que beaucoup de ses contemporains.
Imitation d’autres instruments :

Scarlatti’s keyboard playing often mimicked the sounds of other instruments, especially the Spanish guitar. His use of rapid repeated notes, trills, and strumming-like patterns reflected his immersion in Iberian musical traditions.

Recognition by Contemporaries

Competition with Handel:

The famous contest between Scarlatti and George Frideric Handel in Rome around 1708 demonstrated his reputation as a formidable keyboardist. While Handel was deemed superior on the organ, Scarlatti was considered unmatched on the harpsichord.

Admiration from Students and Patrons:

Maria Barbara of Portugal, later Queen of Spain, was not only his patron but also his devoted student. Her enthusiasm for his playing and teaching underscores his ability to captivate and inspire.

Performance Style

Expressive Freedom:

Scarlatti’s performances were likely characterized by an improvisatory flair, a quality mirrored in the spontaneous and inventive nature of his sonatas.

Connection to Dance:

His playing often reflected the lively rhythms and character of dances, especially those of Spanish origin, lending a unique vibrancy to his performances.

Legacy as a Performer

Scarlatti’s keyboard artistry left a lasting mark on the development of keyboard technique and composition. His emphasis on virtuosity and innovation influenced subsequent composers and performers, setting new standards for what was possible on the harpsichord and, later, the fortepiano.

Chronology

1685–1700 : Jeunesse à Naples
1685 : Né le 26 octobre à Naples, en Italie, sixième enfant d’Alessandro Scarlatti, éminent compositeur d’opéra, et d’Antonia Anzalone.
Années 1690 : A probablement reçu sa première formation musicale de son père et d’autres musiciens napolitains notables.
1701 : À 16 ans, nommé organiste et compositeur à la chapelle royale de Naples.
1701–1714 : Début de carrière en Italie
1702 : A voyagé avec son père à Florence et peut-être dans d’autres villes italiennes, où il a été exposé à divers styles musicaux.
1705 : S’est installé à Venise, où il aurait étudié et perfectionné ses compétences de claviériste.
1708 : Devient maestro di cappella (directeur musical) de la reine Maria Casimira de Pologne, qui vivait en exil à Rome. Pendant cette période, il compose des opéras et de la musique sacrée.
1708 (ou avant) : Participe à un célèbre concours de clavier à Rome avec Georg Friedrich Haendel, gagnant une reconnaissance en tant que virtuose du clavecin.
1710-1714 : Compose des opéras tels que Tetide in Sciro (1712) et Amor d’un’ombra e gelosia d’un’aura (1714) pendant son mandat à Rome.
1714-1719 : Transition et réputation croissante
1714 : Nommé maître de chapelle de la basilique Saint-Pierre de Rome. Il écrit davantage de musique sacrée et d’opéras pendant cette période.
1715 : Se rend brièvement à Londres, où l’un de ses opéras, Narciso, est joué.
1719 : Quitte Rome pour Lisbonne, au Portugal, où il devient maître de musique de Maria Barbara, l’infante portugaise.
1719–1733 : Période de Lisbonne
1719–1729 : A vécu et travaillé à la cour du Portugal, enseignant et composant. Il s’est de plus en plus concentré sur la musique pour clavier pendant cette période.
1728 : Maria Barbara a épousé Ferdinand, prince héritier d’Espagne, s’assurant le mécénat continu de Scarlatti.
1729 : A accompagné Maria Barbara et son mari à Séville pendant une brève période.
1733–1757 : Période de Madrid et œuvres de maturité
1733 : S’est installé à Madrid, en Espagne, où il est resté pour le reste de sa vie comme compositeur de cour de Maria Barbara, désormais reine d’Espagne.
1738 : Le premier recueil de ses sonates pour clavier a été publié à Londres sous le titre Essercizi per gravicembalo.
Années 1730–1750 : A composé la majorité de ses 555 sonates pour clavier, mettant en valeur ses innovations dans la technique du clavier et incorporant des influences de la musique populaire ibérique.
1746 : Ferdinand devient roi d’Espagne, renforçant encore davantage le rôle de Scarlatti à la cour.
1754 : Il est fait chevalier par le pape Benoît XIV, un honneur rare pour un compositeur.
1757 : Décès et héritage
1757 : Décès le 23 juillet à Madrid, en Espagne, à l’âge de 71 ans. Enterré à Madrid, bien que l’emplacement exact de sa tombe reste inconnu.
Reconnaissance posthume : Si ses sonates pour clavier étaient appréciées de son vivant, sa renommée s’est considérablement accrue aux XIXe et XXe siècles, consolidant son statut de figure centrale de la musique pour clavier.

Les phases clés en résumé

Débuts napolitains (1685-1714) : formation précoce, opéras italiens et ascension comme virtuose du clavier.
Période portugaise (1719-1733) : concentration sur l’enseignement, la musique de cour et le développement de son style de clavier.
Période espagnole (1733-1757) : production prolifique de sonates et assimilation d’influences musicales ibériques.

Œuvres remarquables pour clavecin solo

Les sonates pour clavier de Domenico Scarlatti constituent le cœur de ses contributions au répertoire du clavecin, avec 555 sonates mettant en valeur son style innovant et sa virtuosité. Ces sonates sont des œuvres en un seul mouvement, le plus souvent sous forme binaire. Voici quelques-unes de ses sonates les plus remarquables et les plus fréquemment jouées, classées par leur numéro Kirkpatrick (K) :

1. Sonate en ré mineur, K. 1

Caractéristiques : Pièce lyrique et mélancolique à l’ornementation élégante.
Importance : Souvent jouée comme introduction au style de Scarlatti, mettant en valeur son utilisation expressive du clavecin.

2. Sonate en ré majeur, K. 96

Caractéristiques : Une œuvre lumineuse et festive avec des gammes rapides et des croisements de mains ludiques.
Importance : Une vitrine de l’innovation technique de Scarlatti et de son énergie rythmique d’inspiration ibérique.

3. Sonate en do majeur, K. 159 (« La Caccia »)

Caractéristiques : Connu pour ses motifs de chasse animés, imitant le son des cors et le galop.
Importance : Démontre le talent de Scarlatti en écriture programmatique et sa capacité à évoquer des images à travers la musique.

4. Sonate en fa mineur, K. 466

Caractéristiques : Sombre et introspectif, avec des textures complexes et des harmonies poignantes.
Importance : Illustre sa maîtrise de la profondeur expressive dans les limites du clavecin.

5. Sonate en mi majeur, K. 380

Caractéristiques : Sonate populaire et élégante aux mélodies lyriques et à la structure équilibrée.
Importance : Souvent utilisée comme pièce de récital en raison de son charme et de son accessibilité technique.

6. Sonate en sol majeur, K. 427

Caractéristiques : Notes répétées rapides et rythmes énergiques, évoquant les traditions de danse espagnole.
Importance : Met en valeur les influences ibériques et l’inventivité rythmique de Scarlatti.

7. Sonate en si mineur, K. 27

Caractéristiques : Mystérieux et introspectif, avec des arpèges fluides et des changements harmoniques subtils.
Importance : Un favori parmi les interprètes pour sa profondeur émotionnelle et sa beauté.

8. Sonate en ut majeur, K. 513

Caractéristiques : Incorpore des effets de grattage qui imitent la guitare espagnole.
Importance : Un exemple typique de l’intégration d’éléments folkloriques dans les œuvres pour clavier de Scarlatti.

9. Sonate en mi mineur, K. 98

Caractéristiques : Une œuvre dramatique, rythmiquement complexe, qui alterne entre passages lyriques et virtuoses.
Importance : Démontre la capacité de Scarlatti à combiner brillance technique et expressivité émotionnelle.

10. Sonate en la majeur, K. 208

Caractéristiques : Pièce gracieuse et méditative, au tempo plus lent et aux ornementations élégantes.
Importance : Connue pour sa beauté sereine, elle contraste avec les sonates plus exigeantes techniquement de Scarlatti.

Notes générales sur les sonates

Les sonates de Scarlatti présentent souvent des effets de grattage de guitare, des rythmes inspirés de la danse et des modulations inattendues.
Elles reflètent la virtuosité, le sens de l’improvisation et une intégration des traditions musicales ibériques.
Ces œuvres sont célébrées à la fois comme des études techniques pour les joueurs de clavier et comme des chefs-d’œuvre indépendants du répertoire pour clavecin. Souhaitez-vous des recommandations sur les enregistrements ou l’analyse d’une sonate spécifique ?

Œuvres remarquables

Opéras

La production lyrique de Scarlatti, en grande partie issue de ses débuts en Italie, démontre son talent en composition vocale et son héritage du style lyrique de son père Alessandro.

Ottavia restituita al trono (1703)

Détails : L’un des premiers opéras de Scarlatti, joué à Naples.
Importance : Il met en valeur ses premières explorations de l’expression dramatique et de l’orchestration.

Tétide à Sciro (1712)

Détails : Un opéra seria composé pendant son séjour à Rome.
Importance : Représente sa capacité à créer des lignes vocales convaincantes et à s’engager dans les traditions lyriques de son époque.

Amour d’un ombre et gelée d’un aura (1714)

Détails : Un opéra léger (souvent classé dans la catégorie des intermezzos) qui démontre son talent pour la caractérisation comique.
Importance : Met en valeur sa polyvalence et son esprit en tant que compositeur d’opéra.

Musique sacrée

La musique sacrée de Scarlatti comprend des compositions chorales et instrumentales écrites pendant son séjour à Rome et plus tard.

Stabat Mater en do mineur (vers 1715)

Détails : Œuvre pour dix voix et basse continue.
Importance : Connue pour sa profondeur émotionnelle et sa polyphonie complexe, elle est l’une des œuvres sacrées les plus célèbres de Scarlatti.

Missa quatuor vocum (Messe à quatre voix)

Détails : Un arrangement concis et élégant de la messe.
Importance : Démontre sa maîtrise de l’écriture vocale et du contrepoint.

Salve Regina (différents arrangements)

Détails : Plusieurs versions de cet hymne marial ont survécu, mettant en valeur la dévotion de Scarlatti et son talent en composition sacrée.
Importance : Combine l’expressivité lyrique avec la clarté structurelle.

Œuvres de chambre et instrumentales

Symphonies

Détails : Scarlatti a composé plusieurs symphonies, de courtes œuvres orchestrales généralement utilisées comme introductions à des opéras ou comme pièces de concert autonomes.
Importance : Ces œuvres reflètent le style de transition entre l’écriture orchestrale baroque et classique.

Sonate pour violon et basse continue en ré mineur

Détails : L’une des rares pièces instrumentales de chambre conservées.
Importance : Elle met en évidence son intérêt pour la mélodie et l’accompagnement au-delà du clavier.

Œuvres vocales

Cantates

Détails : Scarlatti a composé de nombreuses cantates pour voix soliste et basse continue, explorant souvent des thèmes profanes d’amour et de désir.
Exemples notables : Clori, che m’ami et Bella dama di nome Santa.
Importance : Ces œuvres illustrent son don lyrique et son affinité pour la musique vocale.

Motets

Détails : Les motets de Scarlatti sont des compositions sacrées de petite taille pour voix solistes et basse continue.
Importance : Ils démontrent son habileté à associer l’écriture expressive en solo à des thèmes spirituels.

Contribution globale au-delà de la musique pour clavier

Si les œuvres pour clavier de Scarlatti sont moins célèbres que ses sonates, elles offrent néanmoins un aperçu précieux de sa palette de compositions plus large. Ses opéras et sa musique sacrée révèlent une profonde compréhension de la voix humaine, tandis que ses œuvres instrumentales et orchestrales reflètent les innovations stylistiques de son époque.

(Cet article a été écrit par ChatGPT.)

Page de contenu de la musique classique

Best Classical Recordings
on YouTube

Best Classical Recordings
on Spotify

Jean-Michel Serres Apfel Café Apfelsaft Cinema Music QR Codes Centre Français 2024.

Notes on Domenico Scarlatti (1685 – 1757)

Overview

Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) was an Italian composer and virtuoso keyboardist, best known for his innovative and technically demanding keyboard sonatas. He was one of the foremost composers of the Baroque period and an influential figure in the development of keyboard music. Here is an overview of his life and contributions:

Early Life and Education

Birth: Scarlatti was born in Naples on October 26, 1685, the sixth of ten children to Alessandro Scarlatti, a renowned opera composer and a leading figure of the Neapolitan school.
Training: Scarlatti likely studied under his father, as well as other prominent musicians of the time, and demonstrated prodigious musical talent at an early age.

Career Highlights

Early Appointments:

In 1701, at age 16, Scarlatti became the organist and composer at the royal chapel in Naples.
Later, he worked in Venice, Rome, and other Italian cities, building his reputation as a skilled musician and composer.

Move to Iberia:

In 1719, he traveled to Lisbon to serve as the music master for Maria Barbara, the Portuguese princess. This marked a turning point in his career.
When Maria Barbara became Queen of Spain, Scarlatti followed her to Madrid, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Keyboard Sonatas:

Scarlatti is best known for his 555 keyboard sonatas, composed primarily for harpsichord. These works are celebrated for their inventive use of harmony, rhythm, and keyboard techniques.
The sonatas often feature Spanish and Portuguese folk music influences, showcasing lively dance rhythms and colorful melodic patterns.
Musical Innovation:

His compositions pushed the boundaries of keyboard performance with hand crossings, rapid scales, arpeggios, and unconventional modulations, influencing later composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Personal Life

Scarlatti was a humble and devout man who maintained a relatively quiet life despite his immense talent. His music gained broader recognition only after his death when his sonatas were published and admired in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Legacy

Scarlatti is considered a key transitional figure between the Baroque and Classical periods.
His keyboard sonatas are an enduring part of the repertoire, studied and performed worldwide for their technical brilliance and expressive depth.
Would you like to explore any specific aspects of his life or works?

History

Domenico Scarlatti’s life is a story of remarkable talent, innovation, and devotion to music, unfolding across some of the most vibrant cultural centers of 18th-century Europe. Born in Naples in 1685, the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, Scarlatti grew up in a musical household. His father, Alessandro Scarlatti, was a towering figure in Baroque opera, and young Domenico was immersed in music from an early age.

Trained in composition and keyboard performance, Domenico quickly distinguished himself as a prodigy. At just 16, he secured a position as the organist and composer of the royal chapel in Naples. However, it wasn’t long before his ambitions and talent led him beyond his native city. Seeking broader opportunities, Scarlatti traveled to Venice, where he mingled with the city’s flourishing musical elite, and later to Rome, where he gained renown for his skill as a harpsichordist and composer.

In Rome, Scarlatti served in the household of the exiled Queen Maria Casimira of Poland and composed operas and sacred music. Yet, his brilliance at the keyboard set him apart, earning admiration and challenging rivals, including a famous encounter with Handel. Though their styles were distinct, the two were equals in skill, and their friendly competition cemented Scarlatti’s reputation.

A turning point in Scarlatti’s life came in 1719 when he moved to Lisbon. There, he became the music teacher to Maria Barbara, the Portuguese Infanta, who would remain a central figure in his life. Under her patronage, Scarlatti thrived, and when Maria Barbara married the future King Ferdinand VI of Spain, he followed her to Madrid. It was in Spain that Scarlatti entered the most productive phase of his career.

While living in Iberia, Scarlatti immersed himself in the region’s vibrant musical traditions, drawing inspiration from Spanish and Portuguese folk music. His compositions began to reflect the lively rhythms, bold harmonies, and exotic scales of these traditions. He devoted himself to writing keyboard sonatas, crafting over 550 pieces that remain his most celebrated works. These sonatas, written primarily for the harpsichord, showcased his extraordinary ingenuity and pushed the technical limits of the instrument. From rapid arpeggios to intricate hand crossings, his music was both a delight to hear and a challenge to play.

Scarlatti lived a relatively quiet and private life, devoted to his music and his patrons. Though he composed other works, including operas and sacred music, it is his keyboard sonatas that secured his legacy. He passed away in Madrid in 1757, leaving behind a body of work that influenced generations of composers. Scarlatti’s music bridged the Baroque and Classical styles, blending structural clarity with emotional expressiveness and securing his place among the great composers of Western music.

Characteristics of Music

The music of Domenico Scarlatti is known for its originality, virtuosity, and innovative approach to composition, particularly in his keyboard works. Here are the key characteristics that define his style:

1. Keyboard Focus

Scarlatti’s legacy lies overwhelmingly in his 555 keyboard sonatas, primarily written for the harpsichord.
His sonatas are often compact, single-movement works structured in binary form, where two contrasting sections are developed and then balanced symmetrically.

2. Technical Innovation

Scarlatti’s sonatas are famous for their technical demands, including:
Rapid scales and arpeggios: Showcasing agility and precision.
Hand crossings: Frequent and dramatic, requiring the performer’s hands to leap across one another.
Extended leaps: Large intervals that test a performer’s dexterity.
Repetition of notes: Creating rhythmic intensity and vibrancy.
These techniques not only challenged performers of his time but also expanded the expressive potential of the keyboard.

3. Harmonic Boldness

Scarlatti often employed unexpected modulations and dissonances, creating surprises within his harmonic progressions.
He explored remote keys and bold harmonic shifts that were unusual for his era, providing a fresh, modern sound.

4. Rhythmic Vitality

His music often includes syncopations and rhythmic contrasts, adding energy and unpredictability.
Scarlatti was influenced by Iberian dance rhythms, which infused his sonatas with the spirit of folk dances like the jota and fandango.

5. Folk and National Influences

Living in Spain and Portugal for much of his career, Scarlatti absorbed elements of Iberian folk music:
Guitar-like strumming patterns are evoked in some sonatas.
Exotic scales, such as Phrygian modes, give his music a distinctive regional flavor.
Melodic ornamentation reminiscent of flamenco can be heard.

6. Clarity and Economy

Unlike the elaborate counterpoint of his Baroque contemporaries, Scarlatti often used simple, clear textures that focused on melody and accompaniment.
His music is highly expressive despite its relative brevity and structural simplicity.

7. Dynamic Expressiveness

Scarlatti made inventive use of the keyboard’s dynamic capabilities, even within the limited range of the harpsichord.
His music frequently contrasts playful, exuberant passages with lyrical, reflective moments.

8. Contrast and Drama

Scarlatti’s sonatas often juxtapose virtuosic brilliance with introspective charm within a single work.
He uses dramatic contrasts in texture, rhythm, and harmony to maintain interest and emotional depth.

9. Baroque to Classical Transition

While rooted in the Baroque idiom, Scarlatti’s sonatas anticipate elements of the Classical style:
They emphasize balance and clarity.
His exploration of form and expression foreshadows the works of later composers like Haydn and Mozart.

Conclusion

Domenico Scarlatti’s music combines technical mastery with emotional depth, blending the Baroque’s intricacies with forward-looking innovation. His sonatas remain a cornerstone of the keyboard repertoire, admired for their inventiveness, charm, and brilliance.

Relations to Other Composers

1. Alessandro Scarlatti (Father)

Relationship: Alessandro was Domenico’s father and a towering figure in Baroque opera. He was Domenico’s first music teacher and a major influence on his early development.

Impact: Alessandro’s focus on vocal music and his mastery of counterpoint and harmony likely shaped Domenico’s compositional foundation, even though Domenico ultimately chose a different path by focusing on keyboard music.

2. Arcangelo Corelli

Connection: While in Rome, Domenico worked in environments influenced by Corelli, who was active there earlier. Corelli’s emphasis on melody and harmonic clarity may have subtly influenced Scarlatti, but there is no evidence of direct interaction.

Overlap: Both contributed to the evolution of Baroque music in Rome, though Scarlatti’s fame grew more after Corelli’s time.

3. George Frideric Handel

Relationship: Scarlatti and Handel famously competed in a keyboard contest in Rome around 1708. According to accounts, Scarlatti was deemed superior on the harpsichord, while Handel excelled on the organ.

Mutual Respect: Scarlatti reportedly admired Handel greatly, even once exclaiming, “Handel is the greatest composer of all.” Despite their competition, the encounter reflects mutual recognition rather than rivalry.

4. Johann Sebastian Bach

Relationship: Scarlatti and Bach were contemporaries but there is no evidence they ever met. However, their birth in the same year (1685) has often invited comparisons.

Stylistic Differences: While both contributed significantly to keyboard music, Scarlatti’s focus was more on idiomatic harpsichord writing and Iberian influences, whereas Bach was rooted in German counterpoint and Lutheran traditions.

5. Maria Barbara of Portugal

Connection to Composers: Though not a composer, Maria Barbara, Scarlatti’s patron and student, played a pivotal role in his life. Through her, Scarlatti was introduced to the Spanish and Portuguese courts, where he absorbed the regional folk influences that define much of his music.

Indirect Influence: Scarlatti’s environment at the Spanish court would have exposed him to the works of other court composers, though their names are less prominent in the historical record.

6. Other Neapolitan Composers

Francesco Durante and Leonardo Leo: Scarlatti shared a cultural connection with these Neapolitan composers, as they all contributed to the flourishing of music in Southern Italy. However, there’s no documented evidence of direct collaborations or interactions.

7. Antonio Soler

Relationship: Soler, a Spanish composer and monk, was directly influenced by Scarlatti. Though they did not overlap significantly in time, Soler studied Scarlatti’s sonatas and adopted similar techniques in his own works, continuing Scarlatti’s legacy in Iberian keyboard music.

Summary

Scarlatti’s direct relationships with composers like Alessandro Scarlatti and Handel reflect a life shaped by familial mentorship and high-profile encounters. While his music diverged from his contemporaries like Bach and Handel, his innovative style laid the groundwork for future generations, influencing composers such as Antonio Soler and even Classical-era masters.

As a Keyboard Player

Domenico Scarlatti was not only a groundbreaking composer but also a virtuoso keyboard player renowned for his extraordinary skill and inventive technique. His abilities at the keyboard were integral to his legacy, shaping his compositions and influencing the evolution of keyboard performance.

Mastery and Virtuosity

Technical Prowess:

Scarlatti was celebrated for his unparalleled technical skill. He pushed the boundaries of keyboard playing with techniques that were revolutionary for his time. His sonatas often include rapid scales, arpeggios, hand crossings, and large leaps, all of which reflect his own abilities as a performer.
Contemporary accounts emphasize his fluidity and precision, which were essential for executing his complex and highly idiomatic keyboard works.

Hand Crossings:

One of Scarlatti’s signature techniques was the dramatic use of hand crossings, where one hand leaps over the other to play notes on the opposite side of the keyboard. This not only showcased his dexterity but also created unique textures and effects.

Rhythmic and Dynamic Playfulness:

His playing was marked by rhythmic vitality and expressive use of dynamics, bringing energy and color to his performances. Although the harpsichord has limited dynamic range, Scarlatti exploited its capabilities to create contrasts and nuances.

Innovations in Keyboard Technique

Unconventional Fingering:

Scarlatti’s sonatas often required performers to adopt innovative fingerings to navigate their technical demands. This encouraged players to rethink standard keyboard techniques.
Wide Range of the Keyboard:

Scarlatti made full use of the harpsichord’s range, exploring high and low registers more extensively than many of his contemporaries.
Imitation of Other Instruments:

Scarlatti’s keyboard playing often mimicked the sounds of other instruments, especially the Spanish guitar. His use of rapid repeated notes, trills, and strumming-like patterns reflected his immersion in Iberian musical traditions.

Recognition by Contemporaries

Competition with Handel:

The famous contest between Scarlatti and George Frideric Handel in Rome around 1708 demonstrated his reputation as a formidable keyboardist. While Handel was deemed superior on the organ, Scarlatti was considered unmatched on the harpsichord.

Admiration from Students and Patrons:

Maria Barbara of Portugal, later Queen of Spain, was not only his patron but also his devoted student. Her enthusiasm for his playing and teaching underscores his ability to captivate and inspire.

Performance Style

Expressive Freedom:

Scarlatti’s performances were likely characterized by an improvisatory flair, a quality mirrored in the spontaneous and inventive nature of his sonatas.

Connection to Dance:

His playing often reflected the lively rhythms and character of dances, especially those of Spanish origin, lending a unique vibrancy to his performances.

Legacy as a Performer

Scarlatti’s keyboard artistry left a lasting mark on the development of keyboard technique and composition. His emphasis on virtuosity and innovation influenced subsequent composers and performers, setting new standards for what was possible on the harpsichord and, later, the fortepiano.

Chronology

1685–1700: Early Life in Naples
1685: Born on October 26 in Naples, Italy, as the sixth child of Alessandro Scarlatti, a prominent opera composer, and Antonia Anzalone.
1690s: Likely received his early musical training from his father and other notable Neapolitan musicians.
1701: At 16, appointed as organist and composer at the Royal Chapel of Naples.
1701–1714: Early Career in Italy
1702: Traveled with his father to Florence and possibly other Italian cities, where he was exposed to diverse musical styles.
1705: Moved to Venice, reportedly studying and honing his skills as a keyboard player.
1708: Became maestro di cappella (music director) to Queen Maria Casimira of Poland, who was living in exile in Rome. During this time, he composed operas and sacred music.
1708 (or earlier): Participated in a famous keyboard contest in Rome with George Frideric Handel, gaining recognition as a harpsichord virtuoso.
1710–1714: Composed operas such as Tetide in Sciro (1712) and Amor d’un’ombra e gelosia d’un’aura (1714) during his tenure in Rome.
1714–1719: Transition and Growing Reputation
1714: Appointed maestro di cappella of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He wrote more sacred music and operas during this period.
1715: Traveled to London briefly, where one of his operas, Narciso, was performed.
1719: Left Rome for Lisbon, Portugal, where he became music master to Maria Barbara, the Portuguese Infanta.
1719–1733: Lisbon Period
1719–1729: Lived and worked at the Portuguese court, teaching and composing. His focus shifted increasingly toward keyboard music during this time.
1728: Maria Barbara married Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Spain, securing Scarlatti’s continued patronage.
1729: Accompanied Maria Barbara and her husband to Seville for a brief period.
1733–1757: Madrid Period and Mature Works
1733: Settled in Madrid, Spain, where he remained for the rest of his life as court composer to Maria Barbara, now Queen of Spain.
1738: The first collection of his keyboard sonatas was published in London as Essercizi per gravicembalo.
1730s–1750s: Composed the majority of his 555 keyboard sonatas, showcasing his innovations in keyboard technique and incorporating influences from Iberian folk music.
1746: Ferdinand became King of Spain, further solidifying Scarlatti’s role in the court.
1754: Received a knighthood from Pope Benedict XIV, a rare honor for a composer.
1757: Death and Legacy
1757: Passed away on July 23 in Madrid, Spain, at the age of 71. Buried in Madrid, though the exact location of his grave remains unknown.
Posthumous Recognition: While his keyboard sonatas were appreciated during his lifetime, his fame grew significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in keyboard music.

Key Phases in Summary

Neapolitan Beginnings (1685–1714): Early training, Italian operas, and his rise as a keyboard virtuoso.
Portuguese Period (1719–1733): Focused on teaching, court music, and developing his keyboard style.
Spanish Period (1733–1757): Prolific output of sonatas and assimilation of Iberian musical influences.

Notable harpsichord solo works

Domenico Scarlatti’s keyboard sonatas form the core of his contributions to harpsichord repertoire, with 555 sonatas showcasing his innovative style and virtuosity. These sonatas are single-movement works, most commonly in binary form. Here are some of his most notable and frequently performed sonatas, organized by their Kirkpatrick numbers (K):

1. Sonata in D Minor, K. 1

Characteristics: A lyrical and melancholy piece with elegant ornamentation.
Significance: Often played as an introduction to Scarlatti’s style, highlighting his expressive use of the harpsichord.

2. Sonata in D Major, K. 96

Characteristics: A bright, celebratory work with rapid scales and playful hand crossings.
Significance: A showcase of Scarlatti’s technical innovation and Iberian-inspired rhythmic energy.

3. Sonata in C Major, K. 159 (“La Caccia”)

Characteristics: Known for its lively hunting motifs, imitating the sound of horns and galloping.
Significance: Demonstrates Scarlatti’s skill in programmatic writing and ability to evoke imagery through music.

4. Sonata in F Minor, K. 466

Characteristics: Dark and introspective, with complex textures and poignant harmonies.
Significance: Exemplifies his mastery of expressive depth within the harpsichord’s limitations.

5. Sonata in E Major, K. 380

Characteristics: A popular, elegant sonata with lyrical melodies and balanced structure.
Significance: Frequently used as a recital piece due to its charm and technical accessibility.

6. Sonata in G Major, K. 427

Characteristics: Features rapid repeated notes and energetic rhythms, evoking Spanish dance traditions.
Significance: Highlights Scarlatti’s Iberian influences and rhythmic inventiveness.

7. Sonata in B Minor, K. 27

Characteristics: Mysterious and introspective, with flowing arpeggios and subtle harmonic shifts.
Significance: A favorite among performers for its emotional depth and beauty.

8. Sonata in C Major, K. 513

Characteristics: Incorporates strumming effects that imitate the Spanish guitar.
Significance: A quintessential example of Scarlatti’s integration of folk elements into his keyboard works.

9. Sonata in E Minor, K. 98

Characteristics: A dramatic, rhythmically complex work that alternates between lyrical and virtuosic passages.
Significance: Demonstrates Scarlatti’s ability to combine technical brilliance with emotional expressiveness.

10. Sonata in A Major, K. 208

Characteristics: A graceful and meditative piece, slower in tempo with elegant ornamentation.
Significance: Known for its serene beauty, it contrasts with Scarlatti’s more technically demanding sonatas.

General Notes on the Sonatas

Scarlatti’s sonatas often display guitar-like strumming effects, dance-inspired rhythms, and unexpected modulations.
They reflect virtuosity, improvisational flair, and an integration of Iberian musical traditions.
These works are celebrated as both technical studies for keyboard players and as standalone masterpieces of the harpsichord repertoire. Would you like recommendations on recordings or analysis of a specific sonata?

Notable Works

Operas

Scarlatti’s operatic output, largely from his early career in Italy, demonstrates his skill in vocal composition and his inheritance of his father Alessandro’s operatic style.

Ottavia restituita al trono (1703)

Details: One of Scarlatti’s earliest operas, performed in Naples.
Significance: Showcases his early exploration of dramatic expression and orchestration.

Tetide in Sciro (1712)

Details: An opera seria composed during his time in Rome.
Significance: Represents his ability to craft compelling vocal lines and engage with the operatic traditions of his era.

Amor d’un’ombra e gelosia d’un’aura (1714)

Details: A light-hearted opera (often categorized as an intermezzo) that demonstrates his skill in comic characterization.
Significance: Highlights his versatility and wit as an opera composer.

Sacred Music

Scarlatti’s sacred music includes choral and instrumental compositions written during his tenure in Rome and later.

Stabat Mater in C Minor (c. 1715)

Details: A work for ten voices and basso continuo.
Significance: Known for its profound emotional depth and intricate polyphony, it is one of Scarlatti’s most celebrated sacred works.

Missa quatuor vocum (Four-Voice Mass)

Details: A concise, elegant setting of the mass.
Significance: Demonstrates his mastery of vocal writing and counterpoint.

Salve Regina (various settings)

Details: Several settings of this Marian hymn survive, showcasing Scarlatti’s devotion and skill in sacred composition.
Significance: Combines lyrical expressiveness with structural clarity.

Chamber and Instrumental Works

Sinfonias

Details: Scarlatti composed several sinfonias, short orchestral works typically used as introductions to operas or standalone concert pieces.
Significance: These works reflect the transitional style between Baroque and Classical orchestral writing.

Sonata for Violin and Continuo in D Minor

Details: One of the few surviving instrumental chamber pieces.
Significance: Highlights his interest in melody and accompaniment beyond the keyboard.

Vocal Works

Cantatas

Details: Scarlatti composed numerous cantatas for solo voice and basso continuo, often exploring secular themes of love and longing.
Notable Examples: Clori, che m’ami and Bella dama di nome Santa.
Significance: These works illustrate his lyrical gift and affinity for vocal music.

Motets

Details: Scarlatti’s motets are smaller-scale sacred compositions for solo voices and continuo.
Significance: They demonstrate his skill in blending expressive solo writing with spiritual themes.

Overall Contribution Beyond Keyboard Music

While Scarlatti’s non-keyboard works are less celebrated than his sonatas, they provide valuable insight into his broader compositional range. His operas and sacred music reveal a deep understanding of the human voice, while his instrumental and orchestral works reflect the stylistic innovations of his time.

(This article is written by ChatGPT.)

Music Content Page

Best Classical Recordings
on YouTube

Best Classical Recordings
on Spotify

Jean-Michel Serres Apfel Café Music Artist Channel Profile QR Codes Center Bottom Global.