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Baroque · sonata

Keyboard Sonata in D major, K. 491

Domenico Scarlatti · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Keyboard Sonata in D major, K. 491 is a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • sonata
  • Baroque
  • grand

Also known as L.164.

History

This one-movement Allegro is one of Domenico Scarlatti's short keyboard sonatas. Its D-major setting and quick pace make it a compact study in shaping repeated ideas and keeping the pulse alive across the keyboard.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. An upper entry receives a lower answer

    Short ornamented notes begin above before the lower strand replies. Hear their relationship as the dialogue broadens.

  2. Runs alternate between registers

    Upper and lower running figures trade placement before a paired upper close. Follow their contour through the exchanges.

  3. Layered voices change the colour

    The zero-fifths region layers upper voices above chordal support. Listen within the fuller sound for the ornamented response.

  4. D-major writing restores running exchanges

    The later return renews runs and paired upper replies. Hear their direction toward the broad low ending.

How to practise it

Repeated pitch launching a scale-like run; slower low anchor under the run.

  1. Practise the repeated 74s calmly, then join the run without making its first short note an extra pause.
  2. Count the low repetitions as a steady framework and fit four shorter higher events into each observed span.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

Active keyboard gestures require agile coordination and differentiated articulation through changing phrases.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Domenico Scarlatti, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Sonata journeys
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Keyboard Sonata in D Major” by D. Scarlatti (1685 to 1757). Mutopia edition maintained by Knute Snortum. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2088. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

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

Repeated pitch launching a scale-like run; slower low anchor under the run.

Practise it in PlayPiano