Scarlatti Sonatas
Navona, 2023
8/10
An assembly of solo harpsichord sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, Antonio Soler, and an unidentified composer, Charles Metz brings his inimitable piano playing to these 12 tracks fleshed out on an 1806 square piano built by Muzio Clementi himself.
“Sonata I, K. 378, Allegro assai, F major” starts the listen with Metz’s dancing keys making for a very technical and fluid opener, and “Sonata II, Andante Cantabile, F major”, by anonymous, showcases the intricate finger acrobatics with stunning progressions.
Halfway through, “Sonata V, K. 400, Allegro molto, D major” emits much melody via the rich and animated presence, while “Sonata VI, K. 475, Allegro di molto, E flat major” radiates a dreaminess that playful and adventurous.
Landing near the end, “Sonata X, K. 462, Andante, F minor” illustrates both swift and calm playing that’s as timeless as it is welcoming, and “Sonata XII, No. 29, Allegro, F major”, the lone Antonio Soler song, is packed with agile and dynamic gestures thanks to Metz’s top notch skill.
A solo venture with plenty of baroque leanings, Metz’s performance is superb, and the compositions stay true to the 1791 edits by Clementi.
Travels well with: Vincent Kennedy- Music Of People And Place; Michael Cohen- Aria