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The short answer
A sonata selected for a later Clementi publication. Keyboard Sonata in E major, K. 531 (L. 430) is a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.
- sonata
- Baroque
- Key of E major
- dancing
Also known as Scarlatti Sonate en mi majeur K531-L430.
History
Henle's source commentary records K. 531 in Clementi's Chefs-d’œuvre, published in London in 1791. This is a later print witness, not an established first publication of the sonata or proof of our digital edition's source.
Sources
What to listen for
Opening gestures alternate across staves
Follow the related figures as their register changes, not a permanent upper-versus-lower hand rule.
Held rests punctuate recurring phrases
Full-rest fermatas frame the repeated written phrases. Hear the silence as part of the continuing movement.
A changed colour accompanies recalled figures
The one-sharp region develops familiar shapes. Listen for their contour within the altered pitch groups.
Lower responses lead to a returning colour
The lower continuation reaches the four-sharp return and final repeat. Hear its larger closing direction.
How to practise it
Notice the exchange between moving and sustained layers.
- Practise the first upper figure into its longer continuation.
- Practise the lower descent while sustaining the upper dotted quarters.
- Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.
How hard is it
Agile dance-like keyboard motion requires secure coordination, evenness and controlled changes of register.
About this piece
- Collection
- Sonata journeys
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
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
