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Baroque · sonata

Sonata K. 11 in C minor (Essercizi XI)

Domenico Scarlatti · Level 5, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Sonata K. 11 in C minor (Essercizi XI) is a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • Baroque
  • Key of C minor
  • gentle

History

Scarlatti's C-minor Sonata K. 11 belongs to the Essercizi per gravicembalo, a published collection of thirty keyboard exercises. Henle's timeline places the collection's publication in 1738 to 1739. K. 11 is a one-movement sonata, not a movement taken from a later multi-movement sonata; the collection's publication date is not its exact composition date.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Held ornament leads into short replies

    The upper held gesture and trill receive running responses above lower support. Hear the change from sustain to motion.

  2. The two endings change their chord colour

    The upper alternatives use different notes while the lower stream writes responses linearly. Compare their sound without reconstructing selected-MIDI visits.

  3. Renewed runs widen the register

    Related figures expand higher over changing lower chords. Follow their contour through the wider spacing.

  4. A long descent finds a short chordal close

    The upper descent meets a compact low reply before detached C chords. Hear the release after the extended drive.

How to practise it

Let the opening trill decorate a calm line above changing paired support.

  1. Practise G-B-C-D without ornament first, then add the written approach gently.
  2. Practise the lower progression slowly and avoid automatic equal accents.

How hard is it

Level 5, estimated

Imitative and expressive gestures require clear articulation, independent phrase direction and balanced support.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Domenico Scarlatti, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Sonata journeys
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Domenico Scarlatti

  1. Keyboard Sonata in D minor, K. 32 / L. 423 (Aria)Level 3, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Keyboard Sonata in B minor, K. 87Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Sonata in B minor, K. 27Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Let the opening trill decorate a calm line above changing paired support.

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