Sonata, K. 322

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period who spent much of his life in the service of the Spanish and Portuguese royal families. He composed a large catalog of works in a variety of musical forms, but today is primarily known for his more than 500 keyboard sonatas. While many of these one-movement sonatas are showpieces for keyboard technique, some, such as the Sonata K. 322, are wonderful examples of simple Baroque counterpoint. In this transcription for clarinet and bass clarinet duet, the range of the original work is maintained, with the clarinet taking the lovely melody and the bass clarinet covering the simple bass line. Neither player is presented with any great challenges of technique or range, and an extended range instrument is NOT required for the bass clarinet part. The one-movement sonata, with two repeated sections, has a total duration of approximately 3 minutes. The work would make an excellent ensemble contest selection for young students.