Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Domenico Scarlatti was the sixth child of composer Alessandro Scarlatti. Scarlatti was born in Naples the same year as Handel and Bach. He spent his early years in Italy but then moved to Portugal and Madrid as an employee of Princess, and later Queen, Maria Barbara. Scarlatti is known for his more than 550 keyboard sonatas written for the harpsichord. In a preface to the publication of 30 of his keyboard sonatas in 1738, Scarlatti wrote: Do not expect, whether you are an amateur or a professional, to find any profound intention in these compositions, but rather an ingenious jesting with art by means of which you may attain freedom in harpsichord playing.