This 1989 title was re-released last year but I was only inspired to listen to it recently. Schiff compiles a portrait of Scarlatti's keyboard repertoire by choosing 15 of the Italian's 555 keyboard sonatas, the majority of which are single movement works in two halves. A contemporary of Bach, Scarlatti's sound is yet unique, effusively simple and lyrical. Schiff most certainly subscribes to this in that he finds more than a token baroque sound for these works. Unafraid to interpret the score with nuances of a modern touch and understanding, his reading is altogether a landmark recording.

Karen Dervan