Born in the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti strongly influenced subsequent trends in keyboard music through his uniquely elegant, embellished, fleet virtuoso style. This new compilation of popular selections by the great master presents favorites drawn from his more than 500 miniature sonatas. All of Scarlatti's familiar and best-loved masterpieces — well-known worldwide from piano recitals and CDs — appear here: tarantellas, Siciliennes, pastorals, and sparkling high-speed keyboard toccatas of the greatest ingenuity. According to legendary keyboard artist Wanda Landowska, "when we hear Scarlatti's music, we know that we are in the climate of sunlight and warmth. It is Italy, it is Spain — the spirit of the Latin countries and the god of the Mediterranean." Pianists and all music lovers can discover the truth of that statement in this handsome and inexpensive compilation of exquisite pieces.