Jeremy Siepman: Of the mighty triumvirate of 1685, Bach and Handel have had their due. Domenico Scarlatti has not. He is still more known about than unknown - a famous 'great composer' most of whose epoch-making 550 keyboard sonatas remain unknown to most musicians, even most harpsichordists, and certainly most pianists. In the next few pages we join some of the most outstanding Scarlatti players of this or any other time. And even they don't know the lot, except for Richard Lester who has recorded them complete (most on the harpsichord, some on fortepiano and organ). But don't rule them out. They bow to no-one in their love and admiration for the composer. All are pianists but Andreas Staier and Richard Lester have made their biggest reputations on period instruments. And happily, for the purpose of our discussion, and because diversity is to be cherished, they are, in several matters, not of one opinion.

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