Originally
released in 1951 & 1952 on Decca 10-inch LPs LM4541 & LX3073
Download ID: 213478, 402137
(Duration
47'02")
Sonata
in A major - L.45, Kk.62 (2'59") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in Bb major
- L.46, Kk.47 (4'41") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in D major - L.265, Kk.45 (3'28") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in G major - L.209, Kk.455 (1'53") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in G major - L.129, Kk.201 (2'28") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in C# major - L.256, Kk.247 (2'52") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in D major - L.14, Kk.492 (4'14") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in F major - L.119, Kk.366 (3'35") (rec. 12/11/50)
Sonata
in A major - L.292, Kk.457 (3'17") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in F minor - L.382, Kk.69 (1'51") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in E minor - L.325, Kk.98 (2'56") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in F# minor
- L.294, Kk.447
(2'49") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in C minor
- L.10, Kk.84
(2'54") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in A minor
- L.223, Kk.532
(2'04") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in Eb minor
- L.142, Kk.193
(4'25") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Sonata
in D major
- L.315, Kk.137
(3'37") (rec. 6/11/51 or 9/1/52)
Play
sample Sonata:
Domenico
Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas have been very well represented here with
the many volumes of harpsichord recordings made by Fernando Valenti. Here
is an alternative take on sixteen of his sonatas, this time played on
the piano and sounding and feeling quite different to their harpsichord
cousins.
As with
a number of Kathleen Long's recordings at the time, her interpretations
of Scarlatti were not too well received. This I think can be put down
to rather poor sound quality; it appears that a good number of these sonatas
were recorded earlier for 78rpm release, and sound quality was rather
variable, something we've aimed to rectify here. Surface quality was also
poor on the second of our two LPs, apparently a pressing problem rather
than a worn disc.
However,
thanks to the wonders of modern digital restoration techniques, we are
now able to present these rather fabulous recordings as they should have
sounded over fifty years ago, and add further to the revived reputation
of an almost forgotten pianist. Take a listen to our sample piece and
delight again in Ms. Long's wonderful playing!
