Share some of your favourite sonatas - particularly ones you feel are lesser played.
And where do your tastes land when it comes to Scarlatti performances?
My favourite Scarlatti pianists are - Horowitz, Cziffra, Pletnev, Michelangeli, Pogorelich, Sudbin.
Are there others I should look out for? I particularly enjoy colourful Scarlatti that uses the full range of colour a piano can bring but I also enjoy more restrained Scarlatti like Michelangeli when it’s done with such elegance, control and panache.
There are just too many of them… and in all honesty I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a bad Scarlatti sonata.
It’s easier with pianists. I have to say my favourite Scarlatti pianist is Pletnev. I still keep returning to his Virgin twofer, and it just never feels worn or outdated. Fresh, snappy, endlessly inventive, and right in the clear and elegant style I want from music in the genre. Behind him is Pogo’s furiously brilliant and not seldom mesmerizing Scarlatti, followed lastly by the romantic serenity of Horowitz. I actually don’t need any others.
You already mentioned my favorites Scarlattians: Pogorelich, Pletnev, Sudbin, Horowitz… I would add Gilels to that list as well. Dubravka Tomsic also plays well apparently, but I didn’t hear that disc. Also Argerich’s unbeatable Toccata.
I recommend to Scarlatti fans to listen amazing harpsichordist Pierre Hantai - he had DASDC approved furry!
Hell, since this thread had me revisit Pletnev/Virgin today I’ll drop some suggestions anyway. But there are dozens more I like (almost) every bit as much.
