Three of the greatest composers of the Baroque era were born in the same year. One of them was born today.

Domenico Scarlatti came into the world in Naples on October 26, 1685, the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. He spent much of his career in Portugal and Spain, teaching and composing for the royal court.

There he wrote 555 keyboard sonatas, short, daring pieces full of Spanish rhythms, hand-crossing tricks and sudden harmonic surprises. They helped push keyboard writing toward the classical style that followed, and pianists still play them in concert halls today.

Which Baroque composer do you listen to most: Bach, Handel or Scarlatti?

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