Christoph Ullrich loves passing music on to the next generation. He founded the “Taschen-Oper-Companie” (pocket opera) company, which combines concerts for primary school pupils with prior preparation. He also enjoys challenges such as the complete recording of Mozart and Schubert’s piano works, and the recording of Scarlatti’s 555 Sonatas, the fourth volume of which is presented here.
Recorded in the order of the catalogue established by Ralph Kirkpatrick, this new delivery comprises thirty sonatas, K. 147 to 176, played on a large concert Steinway. Christoph Ullrich makes no attempt to “replicate” the harpsichord, but instead performs these miniatures with generally measured tempos and phrasing that does not neglect either singing or legato.
Its design is entirely guided by the “commedia dell’arte” which mesmerised Goethe during a trip to Italy in 1786. Christophe Ullrich likes to recall the Neapolitan’s lively, funny playing that Scarlatti had seen in his youth and with which all his music seems to be imbued: this incredible variety of mood changes guided the German pianist’s particularly lively performance, often with a touching naivety. © François Hudry/Qobuz