Page 3 - Effable Encounters

Scarlatti’s Deathbed Sting

people, although the court prefers to import foreign musicians for its
own refined amusements. I, however, have listened closely to the
fandangos, the zapateados, and the seguidillas played in the streets and
squares and taverns of Madrid. Throughout my years as music master
to Her Majesty, integrating those wild and exciting harmonies and
rhythms into my lessons has been my own source of refined
amusement. Her Majesty, of course, finds my style of composition
quite diverting.”
Van Gartner saw his opportunity to turn the old man’s attention
back to the affair at hand. “Yes, indeed, maestro,” he uttered
unctuously, “and so do the cognoscenti of Paris, London, Rome, and
Vienna.”
Scarlatti cackled, terminating with a dry heaving sob. “Is that so?
Word has traveled rather slowly: my Essercisi were published in
England almost twenty years ago.”
“I understand they were very well received,” replied the Flemish
businessman, mustering his most ingratiating manner. “But music
publishing was then in its infancy. Times are changing; the days of
the court and church musician are numbered. The new class of
merchants and professionals demand sheet music for home
performance: every middle-class house has a clavichord or violin at
the ready for impromptu musical soirées and regular instruction of
the young. The House of Canarius, of which I am the representative
in Spain and Portugal, anticipates an increasingly large market for
keyboard sonatas as well as chamber music for small ensembles.
Thus, we are contacting the most eminent composers in Europe to
obtain the cream of their unpublished works.”
Scarlatti grunted. “I see. So you would like me to sell you a batch
of my harpsichord sonatas, is that it? And you would engrave them
and make huge profits, eh?”
“I believe you—and your family—would find our terms extremely
advantageous. And your work would survive into the future for
posterity to enjoy and honor.”
The Italian expatriate coughed again, revealing a mouthful of black
and ruined dentition. “Young man, I have no intention of
.
participating in your scheme. It is madness ”
Van Gartner blinked. “Madness? Do you think that—”

2