Sonata K208 by Scarlatti Lesson
In this video Simon Powis offers a lesson on Sonata K208 by Domenico Scarlatti. This piece in A Major was originally written for the keyboard.
Notes from Simon
When I set out to create a course for this piece for members of the Classical Guitar Corner Academy, I found myself a bit lost on what to discuss. This is a grade 8 piece and a player at that level should be able to perform the piece with good tone, rhythm, and voicing.
As I dug deeper I began to identify what it was that really made this work stand out from many others in the repertoire. What I discovered were some musical gifts from Scarlatti but also some opportunities for the performer to turn something beautiful into the sublime.
Sonata K208: Why is this piece so beautiful?
In the first section we have many expressive opportunities. For example, we have leaps or appoggiaturas that allow us to add tension and expression. These interact with stepwise motion passages. Likewise there are many dissonances and syncopations throughout. In other places Scarlatti interrupts an expectation with non-chordal tones. In fact, he does this right at the very beginning of the piece.
All of these different compositional techniques make this an exquisitely beautiful piece. Moreover, how you choose the fingerings can impact the effect of these expressive aspects. We can also take sixteenth-note passages to push and pull with the rhythm expressively.
Another aspect to the piece that can add to its beauty and expression is phrasing. We can use dynamics, especially through building chromatic lines and syncopation, to direct the phrasing. Finally, ornaments can decorate the texture throughout to add lace and frill.
Sonata K208: Performance
Here is a performance video that I made back in 2012.
It is such a beautiful piece, I hope to play it for as long as I live!
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This lesson comes from a longer, one-hour-plus course on this beautiful piece at CGC Academy. Join CGC Academy today to get access to the full course.
Good: a great inspiring lesson, a beautiful performance of the whole piece. Bad: I’ll never play like this should buy ukelele
Persevere! :)
This piece is way above the intermediate level. Aren’t there beautiful pieces that are easier to play, in order to work up to this level with all its advanced techniques?
Hi Virgil, I agree with you! This piece is found in grade 8 in our curriculum. We have seven other grades that lead up to this piece which each have their own beauty.
I’ve listened to this so many times. Just delightful, rich and full of nuance, wish I could play like that. More please.
So very beautiful! I understand how this is a piece for life. The lesson is also excellent and very detailed.
Thank you.
Hi Simon,
when i heard this piece for the first time played so beautiful by you i decided to join CGC at that moment.
For me a great moment to remember as i love this piece and most of Scarlatti’s work, i am convinced your work as a teacher has the same high educational qualities as your performance.
great to listen.
regards,
Joannes
For me, this was the first (of many) highlights of your concert, and I found myself checking the program over & over so I wouldn’t forget which Scarlatti it was. Definitely something to aspire to, if I can manage to live long enough ;-] As always, thanks for the inspiration that sustains the perspiration!
Mark
I’m just a beginner and I’m light years away from knowing how to play this. And the sheet music is foreign to me.
Thank you for this informative lesson (Scarlatti 208). Which level is this piece in the curriculum? Level 5?
When Dr. Powis released Grade 7 and 8 repertoire for CGC, I jumped out of my seat to see that Scarlatti was a part of the that curriculum. If I ever have the honor of making it to this level of playing, I delight that I will have the opportunity to play such a lovely piece!
Kari
Hi Simon, I joined the CGC when I heard you play this piece, Thanks for this lesson (for more with Yotube I have subtitles)
Absolutely beautiful Simon, but well above my level of playing. However you inspire me to keep on working, and one day I will be there.
Thank you,
TonyR
Wonderful lesson, Simon! Thanks for sharing with non-members. While I’m not currently interested in learning this piece, (too much on my plate!), there is so much useful information that I can apply to my work on the Fugue from Bach’s Violin Sonata, which, by the way, I owe you tremendous credit for posting your YT video that inspired me to learn the piece. You mentioned (in an email response) that you were working on a lesson for the Fugue. Is that still in the works?
I am more convinced than ever that it is a good idea to join the CGC. See you in August.
Søren Ravn Andersen
Thank you for opening up for people like me a more equisite and wonderful dimension to what music is truly about. Not only do you play it so well, but you explain it very well too. I also noticed that you have a remarkable mastery of the right mix of relaxation and tension of the fingers. Often, my problem is that I have too much tension with my fingers, in my attempt to hit the right notes and make them sound brightly. As a result, often what is sacrificed is mobility and the ability to achieve subtle changes in dynamics, speed and other tonal expressions. So far I have not heard or read anything on this aspect in any of the readings that I’ve done. Perhaps you may want to share some helpful tips on this area? But for now, let me thank you again for this very beautiful and inspiring material! Wish you all the best!
I am sure that these reflections are shared by many others
The gently manner, the clarity as well as the inherent oraganizational
structure is most impressive
David
Thank you for introducing me to this divine piece – it’s now on my wish list to play one day :)
I have a more stripped down version of this piece (abrsm) and Marchuione’s that requires 3=Fsharp. Yours looks better! Anyway for me to purchase your version? thanks.
Hi Jeff,
Glad you enjoyed it! Here’s a link to purchase the sheet music:
https://cgcpublishing.com/collections/solo-repertoire/products/sonata-k208-domenico-scarlatti
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)