Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Domenico Scarlatti was born in 1685, the same year as Bach and Handel which is unfortunate for him as the inevitable comparison does him few favours. Actually there is a story of a time when Scarlatti and Handel were involved in a keyboard play-off. Handel was said to have been the better organist but Scarlatti came out top on the harpsichord. Today Scarlatti is remembered as the talented son of his father Alessandro, also a composer, and as the writer of many fine harpsichord sonatas. The earlier part of his career, though, saw an emphasis on secular and sacred vocal music. While his "Te Deum" was probably written for Lisbon, the other works included on this super-budget release come from Scarlatti's earlier time in Rome. The best-known example of his church music is his "Stabat Mater", a remarkable synthesis of the old and the new scored for 10 voices. The Immortal Bach Ensemble from Leipzig sing very well indeed and this collection is an interesting introduction to a neglected composer.

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