“Any history of Spanish piano music must by necessity begin with Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), the noted Italian cembalist who lived most of his productive life as a musician in Spain. Few Spanish keyboard composers after him have escaped his influence.” Such are the words by scholar and keyboardist Linton Powell, who accurately foreshadowed a major influence on twentieth century Spanish composer, Joaquín Rodrigo. An invited lecture as a part of the 8th International Festival of Spanish Keyboard Music, this presentation looks at the similarities between two keyboard compositions: The Sonata in D Major, K. 119 by Domenico Scarlatti and the Sonata en Re by Joaquín Rodrigo. A discussion of how Scarlatti perhaps influenced Rodrigo will also ensue.

Also, during the festival, a performance which includes Scarlatti with Spanish contemporaries of the Baroque Era on the first half, with neoclassical music by Joaquin Rodrigo on the second half, will be offered.