Federico Colli: My Scarlatti Sonatas Top Five
Italian pianist Federico Colli is recording his own series of Scarlatti sonatas for Chandos Records, but here he picks the five pianists – and recordings – of Scarlatti sonatas that have inspired him, and from he's learned the most.
Read more…[Pletnev K87]
I love the unconditional freedom we get from Pletnev, which manifests itself in this sonata through a sublime mastery of the sense of tempo and rubato. This is set against his innate and fundamental sense of the unexpected. From Pletnev I learn the freedom of the spirit in relation to a deeper mystery.
[Pogorelich K20]
Pogorelich’s eclectic sort of inspiration has always fascinated me. His Scarlatti is vibrant, brilliant, kaleidoscopic. From Pogorelich I learn that the value of genius is never subject to any sort of compromise.
[Gilels K27]
Through Gilels's performance of this sonata there speaks a noble sincerity, an elegant melancholy; his is a gaze that is always fair and dignified with regard to human sin. His Scarlatti seems to reflect the image of a sacred and painful past, remembered with nostalgia and pride. From Gilels I learn the elegance of style.
[Michelangeli K11]
On the spiritual level, it's Michelangeli I lean towards most as a mentor. In Michelangeli form and content always come together. His Scarlatti glorifies the tension that leads to perfection. From Michelangeli I learn the power of sobriety.
[Lipatti K9]
The figure of Lipatti stands like a monument an ideal that has its roots deep in the same tradition as that represented by Michelangeli. His will is never redundant and never creates anything that is out of proportion. His Scarlatti is a hymn to rationalism as the ultimate judge of human freedom. From Lipatti I learn the sense of rigour.