Alessandro Scarlatti's Sonate a quattro were published in 1725, the year of his death. With their specific marking 'senza cembalo' (without harpsichord), these compositions for two violins, viola and cello appear to be, in a sense, the first string quartets in the modern sense of the term. The program is completed by a few sonatas by his brother Francesco, the 'London Scarlatti', and Alessandro's son Domenico, who had so thoroughly absorbed the contrapuntal tradition instilled in him by his father that some of his sonatas can also be played in quartet formation.

Tracklist:

Sonata 1a a quattro senza cembalo, fa minore~Grave
Sonata 1a a quattro senza cembalo, fa minore~Allegro
Sonata 1a a quattro senza cembalo, fa minore~Largo
Sonata 1a a quattro senza cembalo, fa minore~Allemanda
Sonata 2nda a quattro senza cembalo, do minore~Fuga Andante
Sonata 2nda a quattro senza cembalo, do minore~Grave
Sonata 2nda a quattro senza cembalo, do minore~3/4 [Allegro]
Sonata 2nda a quattro senza cembalo, do minore~Minuet
Durezze et ligature
Gagliarda del Principe di Venosa
Sonata 3a a quattro senza cembalo, sol minore~4/4 [Fuga]
Sonata 3a a quattro senza cembalo, sol minore~Grave
Sonata 3a a quattro senza cembalo, sol minore~3/4 [Allegro]
Sonata 3a a quattro senza cembalo, sol minore~Minuet
Sonata 4a a quattro senza cembalo, re minore~Largo
Sonata 4a a quattro senza cembalo, re minore~Grave
Sonata 4a a quattro senza cembalo, re minore~Allegro
Sonata 4a a quattro senza cembalo, re minore~Allegro
Sonata 4a a quattro senza cembalo, re minore~Minuet
Sonata IX, re maggiore~Grave - Presto - Largo - Presto - Largo
Sonata IX, re maggiore~Larghetto
Sonata IX, re maggiore~Largo
Sonata IX, re maggiore~Presto
Sonate, la minore. Toccata, ASOT 68~Adagio (Piccoli Pezzi)
Sonate, la minore. Fuga in secundo tono
Sonate, la minore~Largo e coma sta (Sonata XI)
Sonate, la minore. Toccata, ASOT 69~Baletto (Piccoli Pezzi)
Sonata IV, mi minore~Largo - Andante
Sonata IV, mi minore~Allegro
Sonata IV, mi minore~Largo
Sonata IV, mi minore~Ã¸
Sonata k87, si minore

UPC: 5400439004221
Label: Ricercar
Release Date: 4.9.21
Format: CD

Scarlatti / Les Recreations - Sonate a Quattro (CD)