In preparing this selection of Scarlatti’s Sonatas the Editor has endeavoured to keep strictly to the original text, merely adding phrasing, fingering and marks of expression.

Most recent editions of these works attempt to adapt Scarlatti to the modern pianoforte. The present Editor prefers to adapt the modern pianoforte to Scarlatti.

Heavy added octaves and filled-in chords being, in his opinion, unsuited to the character of the music, this edition does not contain them, and in the marks of expression no fortissimos will be found.

A very few necessary modifications have been made in the case of ornaments and trills.

The original key-signatures for flat minor keys are retained, for while they form an interesting historical feature they are in no sense troublesome to read.