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.
- 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
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.
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.
Renewed runs widen the register
Related figures expand higher over changing lower chords. Follow their contour through the wider spacing.
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.
- Practise G-B-C-D without ornament first, then add the written approach gently.
- Practise the lower progression slowly and avoid automatic equal accents.
How hard is it
Imitative and expressive gestures require clear articulation, independent phrase direction and balanced support.
About this piece
- Collection
- Sonata journeys
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Domenico Scarlatti
- Keyboard Sonata in D minor, K. 32 / L. 423 (Aria)Level 3, estimatedWith Maestro
- Keyboard Sonata in B minor, K. 87Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
- Sonata in B minor, K. 27Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

