32 Pianosonates

"Cimarosa is an 18th-century composer known mainly for his witty opere buffe, which at the time rivaled none in popularity and esteem. However he also composed many sacred works and instrumental pieces. Among them a grouping of 32 sonatas for the pianoforte, written after the manner of Domenico Scarlatti. Scarlatti wrote one-movement sonatas for the harpsichord which were studies of a particular aspect of harpsichord playing, or of a mood, or a musical idea. Cimarosa wrote his one-movement pieces for the pianoforte. This later instrument had the advantage of being able to play dynamics and give an expressive legato line to Cimarosa's lyric melodies. Expressive use of articulation and pianoforte technique along with operatic flights of emotion give character to these sonatas. In addition, each of these individual gems is full of spontaneous melody and invention. He composed them while he was in Russia during a time when he was employed by Empress Catherine the Great as court composer." (R. Laurance, Allmusic)

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