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D. Scarlatti and Romanticism
This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Domenico Scarlatti and Romanticism
Asked ChatGPT4o: "I believe that during the time of Chopin and Liszt, Scarlatti was not widely known. How could these composers have been influenced by Scarlatti?"
It is true that during the time of Chopin and Liszt, Domenico Scarlattiʼs music may not have been widely known. However, several factors explain how these composers could have been influenced by Scarlatti.
1. Musical Education and Personal Interest
- Musical Education: Both Chopin and Liszt were exposed to the works of Baroque masters through their musical education. For keyboard students, Scarlattiʼs sonatas were important for technical challenges and learning.
- Personal Interest: Both composers had a deep interest in music history and actively studied works by past composers, leading them naturally to explore lesser-known works.
2. Access to Scores and Collections
- Manuscript Scores: At the time, some music enthusiasts, educators, and collectors owned handwritten copies of Scarlattiʼs works, providing access to his music.
- Published Scores: Some of Scarlattiʼs works were published in the 19th century, which may have allowed Chopin and Liszt to become familiar with his music. Educators and collectors often shared such scores with students and young composers.
3. Concerts and Salon Culture
- Concerts: In 19th-century Europe, works by past composers were sometimes performed in salons and small concerts. Chopin and Liszt might have encountered Scarlattiʼs music in such settings.
- Salon Culture: In cultural hubs like Paris and Vienna, salons were vibrant, introducing a variety of old and new works, including those of Scarlatti.
4. Influence of Educators
- Instructional Materials: It is possible that Chopin’s and Liszt’s teachers incorporated Scarlattiʼs works into their lessons. 19th-century music educators sometimes used Scarlattiʼs sonatas to improve keyboard technique.
- Theoretical Studies: With the advancement of music theory research in the 19th century, techniques of past composers, including Scarlattiʼs keyboard methods, were analyzed and adopted in education.
5. Baroque Music Revival
- Reevaluation of Baroque Music: From the late 19th to early 20th century, Baroque music underwent a revival. This renewed attention may have brought Scarlattiʼs works back into focus, influencing later generations.
Specific Forms of Influence
- Chopin: Chopinʼs études and preludes feature ornamental and technical passages reminiscent of Scarlatti. He adopted Scarlattiʼs ornamentation and improvisational elements in his own works.
- Liszt: Liszt’s performance style and compositional techniques reflect Scarlatti’s technical challenges and rhythmic diversity. Liszt expanded keyboard techniques and integrated Scarlattiʼs influence into his innovative performances.
Conclusion
Though Scarlattiʼs music was not widely known during Chopin and Lisztʼs time, they could have been influenced by him through music education, personal interest, access to manuscripts, concerts and salon culture, educator influence, and the revival of Baroque music. As a result, Scarlattiʼs innovative techniques and style continued to impact later generations.
Asked ChatGPT4o: "Are there any publications that directly prove Chopin and Liszt were influenced by Scarlatti?"
There are publications suggesting that Chopin and Liszt were influenced by Scarlatti, though direct evidence is scarce. However, analyses and indirect evidence by musicologists support the notion that they adopted Scarlattiʼs techniques and style.
Chopin is believed to have been influenced by Scarlattiʼs ornamentation and technical passages. His études and preludes reflect Scarlattiʼs technical challenges. Scholarly works on music theory and history highlight the technical similarities between Chopin’s works and Scarlatti’s sonatas.
Liszt also absorbed Scarlattiʼs influence, particularly in his keyboard techniques. According to researcher Detlef Altenburg, Liszt incorporated Scarlattiʼs technical passages and rhythmic variety into his performance style.
Transmission of Influence
- Music Education and Manuscripts: In the 19th century, Scarlatti’s sonatas were used in music education. Manuscript copies in the hands of educators and enthusiasts could have been shared with young composers.
- Theoretical Studies: The revival of Baroque music in the late 19th century led to renewed study of Scarlattiʼs works, which may have influenced Chopin and Liszt.
These factors contributed to Chopin and Liszt incorporating Scarlattiʼs influence into their music.
Asked ChatGPT4o: "Could the technical similarities between Chopinʼs and Lisztʼs music and Scarlattiʼs have been developed independently rather than being influenced by Scarlatti?"
It is possible that the technical similarities in Chopin’s and Liszt’s music were developed independently. However, the possibility of Scarlatti’s influence cannot be dismissed. Below, both perspectives are considered.
Independently Developed Elements
Both Chopin and Liszt developed innovative techniques and styles unique to their era:
Chopin
- Ornamentation: Chopin’s use of ornamentation was part of his distinctive style, especially in his études and nocturnes.
- Pedal Usage: Chopin masterfully used the piano pedal to create unique tones and resonance, a technique unavailable in the Baroque era.
Liszt
- Virtuosic Technique: Liszt expanded piano performance to extreme levels, with highly complex passages in his études and rhapsodies.
- Symphonic Poems: Liszt developed the symphonic poem, broadening his compositional style.
Scarlattiʼs Influence
Nonetheless, several studies point to Scarlattiʼs influence:
Chopin
- Ornamentation and Improvisation: Chopin’s ornamentation and improvisatory style could stem from Scarlatti’s sonatas.
- Rhythmic Variety: Chopin’s mazurkas and polonaises reflect rhythmic diversity similar to Scarlatti’s use of folk rhythms.
Liszt
- Technical Passages: Liszt’s virtuosic passages may reflect Scarlatti’s technical challenges.
- Innovative Harmony: Liszt’s bold harmonic progressions might be influenced by Scarlatti’s daring Baroque harmonies.
Conclusion
While many of Chopinʼs and Lisztʼs techniques were original, there is evidence suggesting Scarlatti’s influence. Their innovations may reflect a fusion of their own creativity and Scarlatti’s techniques. Though direct evidence is limited, research supports the idea that Scarlatti impacted their music.