Domenico Scarlatti redefined the possibilities of keyboard music, blending the grandeur of the Baroque with the emerging vitality of the Classical era. He found his artistic sanctuary at the royal court of Portugal in the employ of Queen Maria Bárbara, a pivotal role that generated a remarkable synthesis of Italian and Spanish musical traditions. The works included in this collection thoroughly explore the capabilities of both instrument and player, with thrilling inventiveness, dazzling virtuosity and beautiful lyricism, which encapsulate Scarlatti’s legacy as a trailblazer in this genre.

Appearing here in his Naxos debut, Rixiang Huang won the First Prize at 2021 Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford as well as the Los Angeles International Liszt Piano Competition in 2021, and is a much-acclaimed Steinway Artist whose performances have captivated audiences across four continents.

Recent releases in this edition include Vol.28 (Naxos 8573938) which appeared in September 2023 with another Naxos debut from pianist Sang Woo Kang, whose recording was admired by Jed Distler of ClassicsToday.com: ‘Kang’s entry in Naxos’s ongoing complete Scarlatti survey has much to recommend it’.