Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 01 | Apprenticeship | 20230529 | 20250826 (R3) | Kate Molleson follows our young composer as he seeks his fortune in different cities across Italy under the ever-watchful scrutiny of his ambitious father. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti - his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, we meet Domenico as he takes his first job, working for his father among the musicians of the court chapel in Naples. It's not long before father and son are both on the hunt for better prospects and they travel to Florence, Rome and Venice to find patrons worthy of their talents. Sonata in D, K 96 Anne Queff退lec, piano Sonata in Dm, K 9 Ivo Pogorelich, piano Sonata in E, K 20 Scott Ross, harpsichord Antra, valles, divo plaudeant Giuseppe Naviglio, baritone Rosario Totaro, tenor Leslie Visco, soprano Valentina Varriale, soprano Filippo Mineccia, counter-tenor I Turchini, directed by Antonio Florio Sinfonia in C Sinfonia in G Europa Galante, directed by Fabio Biondi Sonata in Am, K 109 Sonata in A, K 279 Sonata in G, K 425 Domenico takes his first job under the watchful scrutiny of his father.
Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti – his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, we meet Domenico as he takes his first job, working for his father among the musicians of the court chapel in Naples. It's not long before father and son are both on the hunt for better prospects and they travel to Florence, Rome and Venice to find patrons worthy of their talents. Sonata in D, K 96 Anne Queffélec, piano Sonata in Dm, K 9 Ivo Pogorelich, piano Sonata in E, K 20 Scott Ross, harpsichord Antra, valles, divo plaudeant Giuseppe Naviglio, baritone Rosario Totaro, tenor Leslie Visco, soprano Valentina Varriale, soprano Filippo Mineccia, counter-tenor I Turchini, directed by Antonio Florio Sinfonia in C Sinfonia in G Europa Galante, directed by Fabio Biondi Sonata in Am, K 109 Sonata in A, K 279 Sonata in G, K 425 Domenico takes his first job under the watchful scrutiny of his father. An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. Our young composer seeks his fortune in different cities across Italy, under the ever-watchful scrutiny of his ambitious father. Presented by Kate Molleson. |
| 2023 | 02 | Adventures In Opera | 20230530 | 20250827 (R3) | Scarlatti looks to strike out on his own in Rome, but will his famous father prove a help or a hindrance? Presented by Kate Molleson. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti - his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, Domenico Scarlatti tries his hand at opera, the art form that was fast making his father a household name among Italy's musical elite. He scores a few success but is the theatre really where his future lies? Amor d'un Ombra e Gelosia d'un'aura: Introduzione Romabarocca Ensemble, directed by Lorenzo Tozzi Amor d'un'Ombra e Gelosia d'un'aura: Duet, Dio d'amor' - Arcier fatale Emmanuelle de Negri, soprano (Eco) Paul-Antoine B退nos-Djian, countertenor (Narciso) Le Caravans退rail, directed by Bertrand Cuiller O qual meco: Sinfonia & Aria, Per che non dirmial meno Cyrille Gerstenhaber, soprano XVIII-21 Musique Des Lumi耀res, directed by Jean-Christophe Frisck Sonata in Dm, K 32 Sonata in C, K 308 Sonata in Gm, K196 Lucas Debargue, piano Scarlatti, D: Tolomeo et Alessandro ovvero La corona disprezzata (Act 1 opening) Ann Hallenberg, mezzo-soprano (Tolomeo) Raffaella Milanesi, soprano (Alessandro) Il Complesso Barocco, directed by Alan Curtis
Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti – his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, Domenico Scarlatti tries his hand at opera, the art form that was fast making his father a household name among Italy's musical elite. He scores a few success but is the theatre really where his future lies? Amor d'un Ombra e Gelosia d'un'aura: Introduzione Romabarocca Ensemble, directed by Lorenzo Tozzi Amor d'un'Ombra e Gelosia d'un'aura: Duet, ‘Dio d'amor' - ‘Arcier fatale Emmanuelle de Negri, soprano (Eco) Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian, countertenor (Narciso) Le Caravansérail, directed by Bertrand Cuiller O qual meco: Sinfonia & Aria, ‘Per che non dirmial meno Cyrille Gerstenhaber, soprano XVIII-21 Musique Des Lumières, directed by Jean-Christophe Frisck Sonata in Dm, K 32 Sonata in C, K 308 Sonata in Gm, K196 Lucas Debargue, piano Scarlatti, D: Tolomeo et Alessandro ovvero La corona disprezzata (Act 1 opening) Ann Hallenberg, mezzo-soprano (Tolomeo) Raffaella Milanesi, soprano (Alessandro) Il Complesso Barocco, directed by Alan Curtis An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. |
| 2023 | 03 | Emancipation | 20230531 | Scarlatti puts his home and his family behind him. Presented by Kate Molleson. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti - his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. Today's Scarlatti takes legal action to assert his independence and makes a decisive change of direction. We follow him as he abandons the familiar cultural circles of Italy for a new start in far-away Portugal. Sonata in G, K 284 Mikhail Pletnev, piano Messa breve 'La Stella': Kyrie The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers La Dirindina (extract from Scene 1) Marina Bartoli, soprano, (Dirindina) Giulio Mastrototaro, baritone (Don Carissimo) L'Arte dell'Arco, directed by Federico Guglielmo Sonata in D, K 443 Sonata in F, K 17 Stabat Mater Le Caravans退rail, directed by Bertrand Cuiller Contesa della stagione: VIII. Giorno felice' - Sia dolce e caro e grato Heiner Hopfner, tenor Munich Chamber Orchestra, directed by Hans Ludwig Hirsch | |
| 2023 | 04 | Maria B\u00e1rbara | 20230601 | 20250828 (R3) |  Scarlatti meets the woman who will change the course of his life. With Kate Molleson. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti - his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, Scarlatti is introduced to a very special new keyboard student. The daughter of the King of Portugal was not yet 12 years old, but this was the start of a relationship that would dominate the composer's fortunes for the next three and a half decades. Sonata in A, K 39 Christian Zacharias, piano Sonata in A, K 208 Sonata in Am, K 175 Jean Rondeau (harpsichord) Laetatus sum Nicholas Daly, treble Timothy Mead, counter-tenor Joseph Crouch, cello Ashley Grote, organ Choir of King's College Cambridge, directed by Stephen Cleobury Sonata in Eb, K 434 Sonata in Eb, K 475 Missa quatuor vocum, Gloria, Sanctus & Benedictus, Agnus Dei Concerto Italiano, directed by Rinaldo Alessandrini An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. Kate Molleson sees Scarlatti meet a new keyboard student. It's the start of a relationship that will dominate the composer's fortunes for the next three and a half decades. |
| 2023 | 05 | Farinelli | 20230602 | 20250829 (R3) | Life at the Spanish court is transformed by the arrival of a singing celebrity. Presented by Kate Molleson. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti – his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, the most famous opera singer of the age pays a visit to the Spanish court where Scarlatti works. When the King persuades him to stay, Scarlatti wonders if Farinelli will prove an ally or a rival. Pur nel sonno almen tal'ora: (extracts) Cyrille Gerstenhaber, soprano Xviii-21 Musique Des Lumières, directed by Jean-Christophe Frisck Avison: Concerto grosso after Scarlatti, No. 5 in Dm (extracts) Tiento Nuovo, directed by Ignacio Prego Salve Regina in A Josè Maria Lo Monaco, mezzo-soprano Divino Sospiro, directed by Massimo Mazzeo Sonata in Cm, K11 Ivo Pogorelich (piano) Sonata in G, K547 Trevor Pinnock, harpsichord Produced by Chris Taylor Scarlatti's world is transformed by the arrival of a singing celebrity. An informative guide to composers' lives and their music. The most famous opera singer of the age pays a visit to the Spanish court where Scarlatti works. Will the great Farinelli prove an ally or a rival? Presented by Kate Molleson. |
| 2023 | 05 LAST | Farinelli | 20230602 | Life at the Spanish court is transformed by the arrival of a singing celebrity. Presented by Kate Molleson. Domenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti - his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period's most significant composers. Today, he's rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works. In today's programme, the most famous opera singer of the age pays a visit to the Spanish court where Scarlatti works. When the King persuades him to stay, Scarlatti wonders if Farinelli will prove an ally or a rival. Pur nel sonno almen tal'ora: (extracts) Cyrille Gerstenhaber, soprano Xviii-21 Musique Des Lumi耀res, directed by Jean-Christophe Frisck Avison: Concerto grosso after Scarlatti, No. 5 in Dm (extracts) Tiento Nuovo, directed by Ignacio Prego Salve Regina in A Jos耀 Maria Lo Monaco, mezzo-soprano Divino Sospiro, directed by Massimo Mazzeo Sonata in Cm, K11 Ivo Pogorelich (piano) Sonata in G, K547 Trevor Pinnock, harpsichord Produced by Chris Taylor Scarlatti's world is transformed by the arrival of a singing celebrity. |