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Baroque · sonata

Sonata in B minor, K. 27

Domenico Scarlatti · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A sonata in the thirty Essercizi. Sonata in B minor, K. 27 is a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • Baroque
  • playful
  • stormy
  • broken chords
  • hand independence
  • voicing

Also known as L. 449; P. 83; Sonate en si mineur - K27 - Domenico Scarlatti.

History

K. 27 belongs to the thirty-sonata Essercizi per gravicembalo collection. Its publication is dated 1738 by one publisher account and 1738 to 1739 by a library holding record. The exact publication year remains unresolved, and the print gives a conservative latest date for composition rather than an exact writing year.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. An upper opening gesture

    An upper rest leads into a short F-sharp-E-D figure and a wider move toward B. The lower staff is silent, but another upper voice is also present.

  2. The lower voice answers

    A lower G-F-sharp-E gesture begins after a short rest while the upper voice moves in broader notes. Listen for the exchange between registers.

  3. More voices join

    Upper and lower lines become more layered, with shorter notes beside broader ones. Try to follow each strand without giving every note the same weight.

  4. A pattern crosses the staves

    A fast inner pattern moves between the two staves while isolated upper notes and low B notes frame it. Hear the pattern as one strand despite its changing staff position.

How to practise it

Keep the opening voices distinct when the lower line becomes active.

  1. Keep the upper opening rest in time.
  2. Preserve the inner durations.
  3. Let the lower moving line stay clear.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

This upper-intermediate performance hypothesis concerns a complete sonata with dependable coordination and clear articulation through its contrasting gestures, not a slow reading of the opening.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Domenico Scarlatti, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Sonata journeys
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the opening voices distinct when the lower line becomes active.

Practise it in PlayPiano