Domenico Scarlatti and Wanda Landowska

Wanda Landowska's wild performances of a number of Domenico Scarlatti's (1685-1787) 555 Sonatas for harpsichord, recorded in Paris in 1934, 1939, and 1940 [click here to download]. On track 22 (recorded 3/8-9/40) at 2'00" and 2'41" one can hear the ineffective rumble of artillery in an attempt to halt the Nazi invasion of France. The Germans would enter Paris on June, 14 1940, forcing Landowska to flee to the greener pastures of Lakeville, Connecticut. Here is a clip of Landowska and admirers, including a testimony from the late Bill Buckley.