Top > Musicians Related to C.P.E. Bach > D.スカルラッティ > D. Scarlatti and Romanticism

This site introduces unknown composer Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.

Domenico Scarlatti and Romanticism

ChatGPT4o asked: "I think Scarlatti was not widely known during the time of Chopin and Liszt. How could these composers have been influenced by Scarlatti?"

During the time of Chopin and Liszt, it is true that Domenico Scarlattiʼs music might not have been widely known, but there are several factors that could explain why these composers were influenced by Scarlatti.

1. Musical Education and Personal Interest

• Musical Education: Both Chopin and Liszt had opportunities to encounter the works of Baroque masters during their musical education. For keyboard learners, Scarlattiʼs sonatas were important as a technical challenge and part of their learning.
• Personal Interest: Both composers had a deep interest in music history and studied the works of past composers. This naturally led them to explore the works of lesser-known composers.

2. Access to Scores and Collections

• Handwritten Scores: At the time, some music enthusiasts, educators, and collectors possessed handwritten scores, which might have provided access to Scarlattiʼs works.
• Publication of Scores: Some of Scarlattiʼs works were published in the 19th century, which could have allowed Chopin and Liszt to encounter his music. Music educators and collectors often passed these scores to their students and young composers.

3. Concerts and Salon Culture

• Concerts: In 19th-century Europe, past composersʼ works were sometimes performed in salons and small concerts. Chopin and Liszt might have had opportunities to hear Scarlattiʼs music in such settings.
• Salon Culture: In cultural centers like Paris and Vienna, music salons were vibrant, and a wide range of works from different eras were introduced. Scarlattiʼs works were sometimes featured in these settings.

4. Influence of Educators

• Instructional Books and Education: It is possible that the educators of Chopin and Liszt incorporated Scarlattiʼs works as part of their teaching. 19th-century music educators often used Scarlattiʼs sonatas as teaching material to improve keyboard technique.
• Research in Music Theory: In the 19th century, research in music theory advanced, and the techniques of past composers were analyzed and incorporated into education. Scarlattiʼs unique keyboard techniques became a subject of study, contributing to their dissemination.

5. Baroque Music as Part of Cultural Revival

• Reevaluation of Baroque Music: From the late 19th to the 20th century, there was a movement to reevaluate Baroque music. This led to renewed attention to Scarlattiʼs works, spreading their influence to later generations.

Specific Forms of Influence

• Chopin: Chopinʼs études and preludes feature ornamental and technical passages reminiscent of Scarlattiʼs influence. He incorporated the ornamental techniques and improvisational elements he learned from Scarlattiʼs music into his own works.
• Liszt: Lisztʼs performance style and compositional techniques show the influence of Scarlattiʼs technical challenges and diverse rhythms. Liszt developed keyboard techniques to their limits, integrating Scarlattiʼs influence into his innovative performances.

Conclusion

Even if Scarlattiʼs music was not widely known during the time of Chopin and Liszt, they were able to be influenced by Scarlatti due to a combination of factors such as musical education, personal interest, the existence of handwritten scores, concert and salon culture, the influence of educators, and the reevaluation of Baroque music. As a result, Scarlattiʼs innovative techniques and style were passed down to later generations, continuing to exert influence.

ChatGPT4o asked: "Are there any documents that can prove Chopin and Liszt were influenced by Scarlatti?"

There are documents that suggest Chopin and Liszt were influenced by Scarlatti, but these influences are rarely recorded in a direct form. However, analyses and indirect evidence by musicologists and researchers indicate that they were influenced by Scarlattiʼs techniques and style.

Chopinʼs Influence

Chopin is said to have been influenced by Scarlattiʼs ornamental and technical passages. His études and preludes reflect ornamental techniques that echo Scarlattiʼs technical challenges. Specific studies in music theory and history point out the technical similarities between Chopinʼs works and Scarlattiʼs sonatas.

Lisztʼs Influence

Liszt was also influenced by Scarlatti, particularly in keyboard techniques. Liszt incorporated Scarlattiʼs technical passages and diverse rhythms into his performance style. According to researcher Detlef Altenburg, analyses have been conducted on the relationship between Lisztʼs compositional style and Scarlattiʼs influence.

Transmission Pathways of Influence

• Musical Education and Handwritten Scores: In the 19th century, Scarlattiʼs sonatas were sometimes used as part of musical education. Additionally, handwritten scores owned by music enthusiasts and educators were passed on to young composers.
• Research in Music Theory: From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Baroque music was reevaluated, and Scarlattiʼs works gained renewed attention. During this process, Chopin and Liszt might have studied Scarlattiʼs music and incorporated his techniques into their own works.

These factors contributed to Chopin and Liszt being influenced by Scarlatti, and this influence is reflected in their music.

ChatGPT4o asked: "Could the music of Chopin and Liszt, which is said to be technically similar to Scarlatti, have been developed independently by them rather than being influenced by Scarlatti?"

It is possible to consider that the elements in Chopin and Lisztʼs music that are technically similar to Scarlattiʼs were developed independently by them. However, the possibility of Scarlattiʼs influence cannot be dismissed. Below, we examine both perspectives of their independent development and influence from Scarlatti.

Independently Developed Elements

Chopin and Liszt each established innovative techniques and styles in their respective eras. Below are some of the techniques and styles they are said to have developed independently.

Chopin

• Ornamentation and Ornaments: Chopinʼs music includes unique ornamentation and ornaments, which are part of his distinctive style. The ornamentation found in his études and nocturnes can be seen as a result of his own creativity.
• Use of the Pedal: Chopin skillfully used the piano pedal to create unique tones and resonances, a technique that did not exist in the Baroque era.

Liszt

• Transcendental Technique: Liszt pursued transcendental technique, greatly expanding the technical limits of piano performance. His études and rhapsodies contain numerous high-difficulty passages unique to him.
• Development of the Symphonic Poem: Liszt created the new form of the symphonic poem, which significantly broadened his compositional style.

Influence from Scarlatti

Many studies also point out the possibility of influence from Scarlatti. Below are techniques and elements that may have been influenced by Scarlatti.

Chopin

• Ornamentation and Improvisational Elements: Chopinʼs ornamentation and improvisational elements may have been influenced by Scarlatti. Scarlattiʼs sonatas contain abundant ornamentation and improvisational passages, which are thought to have influenced Chopinʼs style.
• Diversity of Rhythm: Chopinʼs mazurkas and polonaises exhibit diverse rhythms, possibly influenced by Scarlattiʼs incorporation of folk music rhythms.

Liszt

• Technical Passages: Lisztʼs transcendental technique is thought to have been influenced by Scarlattiʼs technical challenges. Scarlattiʼs sonatas include complex and technically advanced passages, which are reflected in Lisztʼs techniques.
• Harmonic Innovation: Lisztʼs harmonic progressions may have been influenced by Scarlattiʼs bold harmonic progressions. Scarlatti used innovative harmonies even in the Baroque era, which are thought to have influenced Lisztʼs innovative harmonies.

Conclusion

While many of the technical elements and styles of Chopin and Liszt were developed independently through their own creativity, there are also parts influenced by Scarlatti. The fusion of techniques they developed independently and those influenced by Scarlatti forms their music. Although there is little direct documentation or evidence, research and analysis by musicologists suggest that Scarlattiʼs influence was not insignificant.

ChatGPT4o asked: "The folk music Scarlatti incorporated was from Italy and its surroundings, which is different from the mazurkas and polonaises that Chopin incorporated, isnʼt it?"

Indeed, the folk music influences incorporated by Domenico Scarlatti and Frédéric Chopin differ regionally. Below are detailed descriptions of their respective characteristics and influences.

Scarlatti and the Influence of Folk Music

Influences from Spain and Italy

Scarlattiʼs works strongly reflect the influence of the folk music of Spain and Italy, where he spent a long period. Specifically, the following characteristics are present.

1. Spanish Folk Music

   • Diversity of Rhythm: Scarlattiʼs sonatas incorporate flamenco rhythms and Spanish dance rhythms, creating lively rhythmic diversity in his works.
   • Imitation of the Guitar: Some sonatas feature passages that imitate guitar arpeggios and strumming, reflecting the influence of Spanish guitar music.

2. Italian Folk Music

   • Operatic Melodies: Scarlatti, being Italian, incorporated melodic characteristics of Italian opera into his works, resulting in music with beautiful melodic lines.

Chopin and the Influence of Folk Music

Influences from Poland

Chopinʼs music is deeply influenced by the folk music of his homeland, Poland. In particular, forms like the mazurka and polonaise play an important role in Chopinʼs music.

1. Mazurka

   • Rhythmic Characteristics: The mazurka is a dance in triple meter, often with irregular accents, creating a unique rhythmic feel.
   • Folk Melodies: Chopinʼs mazurkas are heavily influenced by Polish folk songs, expressing nostalgia and national identity.

2. Polonaise

   • Majestic Rhythm: The polonaise is in triple meter, characterized by a majestic and dignified rhythm. Chopinʼs polonaises embody Polish national pride.

Differences and Commonalities in Influence

Regional Differences

• Scarlatti: Influenced mainly by the folk music of Spain and Italy, reflected in the rhythms and guitar imitations in his music.
• Chopin: Influenced by Polish folk music, particularly the rhythms and melodies of the mazurka and polonaise.

Technical Commonalities

• Diversity of Rhythm: Both composers emphasized rhythmic diversity, incorporating dance rhythms from their respective regions to add unique color to their music.
• Ornamentation and Improvisation: Both Scarlatti and Chopin incorporated ornamentation and improvisational elements into their music, which are important aspects of their performance techniques.

Conclusion

While the folk music incorporated by Scarlatti and Chopin differs regionally, there are technical commonalities such as rhythmic diversity and the use of ornamentation. This suggests that while influenced by Scarlatti, Chopin was able to establish his own unique style. The influences from Spain and Italy in Scarlattiʼs music and the influences from Poland in Chopinʼs music reflect their respective cultural backgrounds and musical characteristics.

Site search by Google

Upper items

< D.スカルラッティ
< Chopin