Composer

:

Domenico Scarlatti

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Sonata

Average_duration

:

2:55

Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata for keyboard in A minor, K. 265, L. S32, also known as "The Funeral March," is a solo keyboard piece that was composed in the early 18th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1740 and 1750. The sonata is in three movements, with the first and third being in A minor and the second in A major. The first movement is marked "Andante," and it begins with a somber and mournful melody that is reminiscent of a funeral march. The melody is then repeated in a higher register, and the movement ends with a brief coda. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and energetic piece in A major. It features rapid arpeggios and virtuosic runs, and it provides a stark contrast to the mournful first movement. The third movement, marked "Presto," is a fast and lively piece in A minor. It features rapid scalar passages and virtuosic runs, and it provides a thrilling conclusion to the sonata. One of the characteristics of Scarlatti's keyboard music is his use of the "binary form," which consists of two contrasting sections that are repeated. This structure is evident in the first and third movements of the sonata, which both feature a repeated A section and a contrasting B section. Another characteristic of Scarlatti's keyboard music is his use of the "cross-hand" technique, which involves crossing the hands over each other to play rapid passages. This technique is evident in the second movement of the sonata, which features rapid arpeggios that require the use of the cross-hand technique. Overall, Scarlatti's Sonata for keyboard in A minor, K. 265, L. S32, is a masterful example of Baroque keyboard music. Its mournful first movement, lively second movement, and thrilling third movement showcase Scarlatti's virtuosic keyboard writing and his ability to create contrasting moods and textures within a single piece.

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