Scarlatti 4 Pierre Hantaï

• 1 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 212: Allegro molto 03:52
• 2 Keyboard Sonata in C-Sharp Minor, K. 247: Allegro (played in D Minor) 04:44
• 3 Keyboard Sonata in G Major, K. 144: Cantabile 04:48
• 4 Keyboard Sonata in C Major, K. 133: Allegro 03:36
• 5 Keyboard Sonata in F Minor, K. 204: Allegro 06:19
• 6 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 279: Andante 04:50
• 7 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 533: Allegro assai 03:18
• 8 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 405: Allegro 03:12
• 9 Keyboard Sonata in E Minor, K. 402: Andante 10:41
• 10 Keyboard Sonata in E Major, K. 403: Allegro 03:57
• 11 Keyboard Sonata in E Major, K. 381: Allegro 03:33
• 12 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 208: Adagio e cantabile 03:33
• 13 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 456: Allegro 02:59
• 14 Keyboard Sonata in A Major, K. 457: Allegro 03:46
• 15 Keyboard Sonata in C Minor, K. 302: Andante 05:44
• 16 Keyboard Sonata in G Major, K. 201: Vivo 04:00
• 17 Keyboard Sonata in D Major, K. 45: Allegro 03:39
• Total Runtime 01:16:31

Info for Scarlatti 4

A fourth volume of Domenico Scarlatti's Sonatas from the doyen of French harpsichordists, Pierre Hantaï, of whom Gramophone said: 'an astonishing display of dexterity in which the harpsichord he uses (a 1999 copy of an anonymous Thuringian instrument of 1720) and the acoustic help in preserving total clarity. Even at maximum velocity (did Scarlatti and his pupil reach such speeds?) he manages to shape his phrases with micro-second dwellings.

It isn't only the speedy sonatas that are impressive; Kk208 exemplifies his skilful shifts to either side of the pulse in giving the lines a natural 'vocal' quality. It also illuminates Kk185, 310, 199 and 162, in the last of which it's more evident in the playful quicker 'interludes'. The irresistible disc is splendidly annotated by Hantaï and beautifully packaged.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010.

Pierre Hantaï, harpsichord

Pierre Hantaï
Born in 1964, became passionately devoted to the music of Bach around the age of ten. Thanks to the influence of Gustav Leonhardt, he began to study the harpsichord, alone at first, then guided by the American teacher Arthur Haas. He gave his first concerts at an early age, alone or with his brothers Marc and Jérôme. He then spent two years studying in Amsterdam with Gustav Leonhardt, who subsequently invited him to perform under his direction.

In the years that followed he collaborated with many musicians and directors of Baroque ensembles, among them Philippe Herreweghe, the Kuijken brothers, François Fernandez, Marc Minkowski, and Philippe Pierlot. Nowadays he mostly performs as a soloist around the world. He often appears as a guest with Jordi Savall, and he also enjoys joining his brothers and such friends as Hugo Reyne, Sébastien Marq, Amandine Beyer, Skip Sempé, Olivier Fortin, Christophe Coin and Jean-Guihen Queyras to play chamber music.

He recently re-formed the ensemble he created in the 1980s, Le Concert Français, for several concerts and a disc of suites and cantatas by Bach.

His extensive discography includes a number of recordings for Mirare: Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier (Book I), Goldberg Variations, and flutesonatas (with Hugo Reyne); three discs of sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti; a program of works by François Couperin; and most recently a recording of music for two harpsichords by Rameau (with Skip Sempé).

Booklet for Scarlatti 4