The keyboard sonatas of the Spanish priest Padre Antonio Soler (1729-83) are often compared to the much more celebrated sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. There's a capricious playfulness and a willingness to engage in harmonic adventure that are reminiscent of Scarlatti. And many of Soler's sonatas add to the mix a distinctive Spanish tinge which gives them a strong earworm catchiness. Richard Lester's selection is unhackneyed and gives a good impression of the range of Soler's achievement. His playing style is more deliberate than flamboyant, and this does limit the vigour of his performances. There's a fun extra on the disc, a performance with David Ponsford of Lester's arrangement for two harpsichords of the celebrated Fandango from a Boccherini quintet with guitar. url.ie/6c45
Soler: 13 Sonatas
![](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/N6PWFWTXCSYPZHH5GLVWDQ65HA.jpg?auth=07b87a379b2832774fbaa2767e02b3c802cc06b0c2575f37927127e6fbeb26fb&smart=true&width=1024&height=1038)