Antonio Scarlatti was hired as the Spanish Queen María Bárbara’s personal fitness coach. In order to perfect her keyboard artistry, the monarch had the talented Neapolitan composer write countless exercises for her.

The Japanese pianist Eri Mantani has assembled a fascinating personal selection from the 555 extant “Sonatas” that really have nothing in common with dull études – a debut album bursting with energy that could not be more entertaining.

The queen must have had considerable capabilities as a keyboard artist: gigantic leaps, highly virtuosic runs, and crossing of the hands that even today challenge every keyboard performer’s technique.

Eri Mantani knows how to generate this Mediterranean flair on the mighty Steinway D. This sound picture, crystal-clear even in stereo, should be fully relished in 3D – which makes this fine Super Audio CD a sumptuous audiophile experience.