Ian Holtham – Scarlatti’s Steinways at Melbourne (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

The remarkable output of 555 Keyboard Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) remains one of the most original compositional contributions in Western Art Music. Pianist Ian Holtham has selected 23 of the sonatas sequenced into four baroque tonal groupings.

CD-1 opens with five Sonatas around the parallel tonic C/a; then six Sonatas around related minor tonalities up to four flats.

CD-2 begins with six Sonatas around related major tonalities up to four sharps; concluding with five Sonatas (plus one envoi) around the parallel tonic D/b, arguably Scarlatti’s most expressive and varied tonal area.

These four groupings are then assigned to a separate Steinway concert grand corresponding to the tonal and voicing attributes of the four University of Melbourne Conservatorium Steinway Model Ds in ways which most suit the musical characteristics of the four groupings of the Sonatas. These four instruments are the ones in current concert usage in the various performance locations around the stunning Conservatorium building that was opened in 2019.

Tracklist:
1. Ian Holtham – Sonata in C Major, K. 420: Allegro (04:51)
2. Ian Holtham – Sonata in C Major, K. 132: Cantabile (07:03)
3. Ian Holtham – Sonata in a minor, K. 54: Allegro (04:13)
4. Ian Holtham – Sonata in C Major, K. 159: Allegro (02:30)
5. Ian Holtham – Sonata in C Major, K. 461: Allegro (04:01)
6. Ian Holtham – Sonata in a minor, K. 7: Presto (04:51)
7. Ian Holtham – Sonata in e minor, K. 263: Andante (05:11)
8. Ian Holtham – Sonata in d minor, K. 517: Prestissimo (03:31)
9. Ian Holtham – Sonata in g minor, K. 426: Andante (06:23)
10. Ian Holtham – Sonata in c minor, K. 84 (03:06)
11. Ian Holtham – Sonata in f minor, K. 239: Allegro (02:59)
12. Ian Holtham – Sonata in F Major, K. 366: Allegro (04:30)
13. Ian Holtham – Sonata in B flat Major, K. 545: Prestissimo (03:20)
14. Ian Holtham – Sonata in G Major, K. 14: Presto (02:51)
15. Ian Holtham – Sonata in A Major, K. 209: Allegro (04:19)
16. Ian Holtham – Sonata in D Major, K. 492: Presto (04:14)
17. Ian Holtham – Sonata n E Major, K. 216: Allegro (06:17)
18. Ian Holtham – Sonata in D Major, K. 490: Cantabile (08:20)
19. Ian Holtham – Sonata in b minor, K. 87 (05:01)
20. Ian Holtham – Sonata in D Major, K. 119: Allegro (05:56)
21. Ian Holtham – Sonata in b minor, K. 27: Allegro (03:48)
22. Ian Holtham – Sonata in D Major, K. 96: Allegrissimo (05:22)
23. Ian Holtham – Sonata in D Major, K. 435: Allegro (03:17)