Sonata K.239, L. 281

List A

What does Allegro mean?

Fast and lively

What does ~ indicate?

• indicates a trill in Baroque music (used interchangeable with tr.)

• can also an upper mordent

What is this?

• appoggiatura

• played on the beat, reducing length of next note

What is a sonata?

• piece that is played on an instrument

• comes from the Italian word ‘suonare’ meaning to sound

• Scarlatti wrote 55 sonatas published under the title ‘Exercises for harpsichord’

Why is there a K in the title?

• K is the catalogue number

• Ralph Kirkpatrick

What form is this piece in?

• binary (AB) form, which each section repeated

• similar thematic material in the second half of each section

Who was Scarlatti?

• Italian composer from the late Baroque period

• Born in 1685

• Died in 1757 at 71

• from family of musicians

• Known for:

  • rapid arpeggios

  • repeated notes

  • wide leaps and hand crossing

  • rhythms and gestures of Spanish music

Who were Scarlatti’s contemporaries?

• Vivaldi

• Bach

• Handel

What was the Baroque period?

Date: 1600-1750

Keyboard instruments: harpsichord, clavichord

Composers: Bach, Handel

Chief characteristics:

• rhythmic pulse

• counterpoint (polyphonic texture)

• no pdal

• modulations to closely related keys

• sequences

How does this piece exemplify typical features of its period?

• counterpoint

• sequences

• modulations to closely related keys

• imitation between voices

• ornamentation e.g. trills