An interview with Federico Colli

Why did you decide to pair the sonatas in the way you have?

I felt that putting these sonatas together by tonality, harmony or speed was not enough for the complex personality and beauty of Scarlatti. Western countries have always thought that the negative has a positive value – think about Romantic music by Beethoven and Schumann; they create from opposition. I really wanted to show that in this earlier period, contrast is not a negative thing. These pairs of sonatas – and the cover of the album – follow this idea.

Do you think Scarlatti was ahead of his time?

I wouldn’t say ahead of his time, but I’d love to say that because his music is so beautiful and so true, it’s eternal. It is for me, for you, for my grandfather 60 years ago, it was for the beginning of the century; it’s forever! Our purpose is to answer this vital question: why do we still need to play this music? In my opinion we need to find the present moment in this music. This music is as beautiful now as it was 200 years ago. And it will be beautiful in 300 years. That’s the mystery and beauty of a masterpiece. Have you come to know the man better through his music?

I was so surprised by his personality. Nobody told me that Scarlatti was so spectacular and so deep. People told me that Scarlatti was a very simple composer; a good composer to start with – little children could improve their skills and ability, and nothing more. And it was not true. I studied a lot and I believe I now have a clearer portrait of Scarlatti. I was so surprised and so happy to discover the beauty of this music.