Scharlachrote Buchstaben

Scarlet Letters was composed in 1984 on commission of the pianist and harpsichordist Franzpeter Goebels (1920–1988) on the occasion of the 300th birth day of Domenico Scarlatti. The original working title ”Lettere scarlattine” is a concealed homage to the Italian composer. The compositional material is limited to the tones D, E, C, Es (= S, spoken ”Es“ = E flat in German notation) and A, derived from the musical letters of Domenico Scarlatti’s name, and the tones B (= B flat in German nota tion) and H (= B natural), the initials of my name. With 7 tones and 7 parts, this music is a sort of story about my imaginary encounter with the composer Domenico Scarlatti who was then one of my favourite composers. Sometimes I also used compositional means which I discovered in the sonatas of Scarlatti, such as quick 6/8 figures, afterbeat octaves and repetitions of short motifs. I tried to translate
the clarity, brightness and cheerfulness, the astounding modulations and the pianistic brilliance of his music into my compositional language.
Barbara Heller

The piece was recorded on CD by the American pianist Deborah Richards (WERGO 6610-02). First performance: 31. October 1987 International Festival of Women Composers, Unna; Rosario Marciano, piano.