Domenico Scarlatti, Sonate – Giorgio Dellarole

This is, in many ways, an exemplary CD; firstly it demonstrates the capabilities of the classical accordion of today – an instrument that can ably perform the varied musical repetoires of the ages. Secondly, it also demonstrates – via its contents of 16 sonatas (including one toccata and one fugue) - the art and genius of Scarlatti: without doubt one of the finest composers of his time and an outstanding keyboard player. Here the term “keyboard player” is used deliberately to highlight the number of keyboard instruments that a musician like Scarlatti had at his disposal in his time, in fact as authoritatively noted by Kirkpatrick, it is impossible and useless to seek a specific “Scarlattino” instrument.

The high quality of the 16 pieces clearly illustrates, in the varied styles, those that affect the author as well as the inspirational and cultural roots. Sometimes a certain melody seems present even when the virtuoso aspect of the sonatas has the upper hand but then, in certain sonatas, one can trace a line that stems from Iberian folklore, more or less similar to Italian baroque, and even an arcadian imprint.

This CD then makes us understand (or confirms) that Scarlatti – as many other great musicians – has used a synthesis of various styles with a keyboard interpretation that can be realized with other instruments (as demonstrated by the numerous transcriptions and adaptations for varied instruments and chamber formations) and amongst which is the accordion.

At the start we said that this Cd was exemplary, well it is not the first to feature works of Scarlatti on the accordion ( we remember H.Noth;T.Anzillotti;M.Miki) this work highlights the masterly interpretations and technique of Giorgio Dellarolle, who in a rare symbiosis with his instrument, gives us – in a crystal clear way – the expressivw essence of these masterpieces.

In conclusion, this is a truly great work, including the technical references in the accompanying booklet with notes by M.Farolfi (in Italian, English and French).

Reviewed by Alessandro Mugnoz, January 2007