Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) spent most of his career in Spain and Portugal after leaving Italy, where he served as a court musician and composer. His keyboard sonatas, numbering over 550, represent a radical departure from the formal structures of his contemporaries; they are compact, inventive, and often virtuosic explorations of a single musical idea.
Scarlatti's sonatas have become essential teaching repertoire because they bridge the harpsichord tradition and modern piano technique. His writing combines technical brilliance with genuine melodic charm, making these pieces rewarding for students developing finger independence and rhythmic clarity.
