Your guide to classical music online

Naxos’ Scarlatti Cycle: Volume 21

Jed Distler

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

Soyeon Kate Lee was the featured pianist in Volume Eight of Naxos’ ongoing Scarlatti cycle, and now returns for Volume 21. Overall, her Scarlatti playing remains highly capable, sensitive, and refined, yet occasionally bland. She brings out the lovely harmonic movement in the B-flat K. 202 sonata’s central section with subtle gradations of touch, and sustains the G minor K. 60’s lyrical melancholy by bringing her left hand to the fore when appropriate. The C minor K. 129’s runs and roulades are pointed and precise, as are the C major K. 250’s startling descending trills.

I only wish that Lee would let go more in the studio. I miss the ebullience, scintillation, and dynamic contrast that she often brings to her live performances. For example, The upbeat E-flat K. 51, C major K. 143, and F major K. 168 sonatas ought to be more energized, incisively articulated, and imaginatively voiced. Lee similarly holds back in the G major K. 91’s central section, underplaying the music’s inherent fury. At least her playing benefits from warmer, fuller-bodied sonics than before.

« Back to Search Results


Recording Details:

Album Title: COMPLETE KEYBOARD SONATAS, VOL. 21
Reference Recording: Scarlatti Sonatas (selections): Horowitz (Sony); Pletnev (Virgin Classics)

    Soloists: Soyeon Kate Lee (piano)

  • Record Label: Naxos - 8.573795
  • Medium: CD

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • Ideally Cast Met Revival of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette
    Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NY; March 19, 2024—The Met has revived Bartlett Sher’s 1967 production of Gounod’s R&J hot on the heels of its
  • An Ozawa Story, November, 1969
    Much has justifiably been written regarding Seiji Ozawa’s extraordinary abilities and achievements as a conductor, and similarly about his generosity, graciousness, and sense of humor
  • Arvo Pärt’s Passio At St. John The Divine
    Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York, NY; January 26, 2024—When one thinks of musical settings of Christ’s Passion, one normally thinks of the