Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata K.185 in F minor

This sonata by Baroque Era composer Domenico Scarlatti is a curious one. The main figure from bar one is repeated multiple times as it progresses upwards until a little run brings it back down again. Then we seem to hear more of the same until bar 26 when a little syncopated figure takes over. As with most binary pieces, the second half follows a similar pattern before bringing the work to a close. This single minded persistence and the minor key can result in a melancholy intensity, but it does have a certain logic and charm to it. The sheet music and audio files for this sonata can be found in the left-hand menu or scroll further down this page. On mfiles we have two more Scarlatti Sonatas: Sonata K.159 in C major and Sonata K.32 in D minor, and this one is also available in two arrangements: one for Oboe and Bassoon and one for Violin and Cello.