Great Performances Season 47 Episode 3 Scarlatti: Man Out of Time

Scarlatti: Man Out of Time is the third episode of the 47th season of the popular PBS series Great Performances. The episode is a documentary that tells the story of the life and music of Domenico Scarlatti, one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.

The documentary is directed by Susan Platts and features conversations with some of the most renowned musicians and experts on Baroque music, including pianist Angela Hewitt, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, and musicologist Robert Greenberg.

The episode begins with a brief introduction to Scarlatti's life and work, highlighting his significance as a composer and his influence on music history. Scarlatti was born in Naples in 1685 and started his career as a composer at an early age. He spent a significant part of his life in the service of the Spanish royal court, where he composed most of his famous sonatas and other works.

The documentary explores Scarlatti's innovative approach to music, which combined elements of the Baroque and Classical styles and introduced new techniques and musical forms. Scarlatti's sonatas are considered his most important contribution to music and are known for their technical virtuosity, emotional expressiveness, and revolutionary use of harmony and rhythm.

Throughout the episode, we see performances of some of Scarlatti's most famous works, including his Sonatas in F minor, A major, and C major, played by Angela Hewitt on a modern piano. The performances are interspersed with interviews with the musicians and experts, who offer insights into Scarlatti's musical style, his legacy, and his influence on music history.

One of the highlights of the episode is the discussion of Scarlatti's use of dissonance and chromaticism in his music. Mahan Esfahani explains how Scarlatti's exploration of these techniques was groundbreaking for the time and paved the way for the development of musical Romanticism in the 19th century.

The documentary also explores Scarlatti's relationship with the Spanish royal court, where he spent most of his career as a composer. We learn about Scarlatti's personal life, including his relationships with women and his struggle with illness in his later years.

As the episode draws to a close, we see more performances of Scarlatti's works, including his Sonata in D minor and his Sonata in B minor, both of which are considered among the most famous and challenging pieces of Baroque music ever written.

Overall, Scarlatti: Man Out of Time is a fascinating portrait of one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. The episode combines historical context, musical analysis, and stunning performances to offer a comprehensive exploration of Scarlatti's life and work. Whether you're a fan of Baroque music or simply interested in music history, Scarlatti: Man Out of Time will leave you with a newfound appreciation for this important and innovative composer.