A one-of-a-kind musical marathon: 

Can we perform all 555 keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti in a single weekend?

On October 24, 25 and 26, Sofia Art Institute invites performers and audiences to take part in an extraordinary musical challenge – the first complete performance in Bulgaria of all 555 keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti! In this ambitious project, we go beyond the traditional interpretation of these works. The sonatas will be performed not only on piano and harpsichord, but also on accordion, lute, guitar, marimba and any other instruments that our colleagues from Bulgaria and around the world choose to bring to the project. Scarlatti’s music is so rich and vibrant that it can be rediscovered through an endless variety of timbres, sounds and interpretations.

Part of “Spanish Autumn”

where and when?

The marathon will have both an in-person and an online component. On October 24, 25 and 26, Helikon Art (6 Graf Ignatiev Street, Sofia) will become a meeting place for musicians and music lovers, where a succession of performers will take us through Scarlatti’s vast musical legacy. Musicians from around the world who are unable to be present in Sofia will also join the project by recording their performances and sharing them online. In this way, one weekend in Sofia will become an international musical marathon, bringing together performers from different countries, generations and musical traditions.

The dates are not accidental – October 26 is Domenico Scarlatti’s birthday, and the marathon is part of Sofia Art Institute’s larger theme, “Spanish Autumn”, dedicated to the musical connections linking Bulgaria, Spain and Europe.

charity event

The Scarlatti Weekend Marathon is a charity event with pay-what-you-wish admission. The Scarlatti Weekend Marathon is a charity event with pay-what-you-wish admission. All funds raised will support our campaign to acquire a harpsichord, built after an 18th-century historical model, for educational and concert activities. This valuable instrument will enable Bulgaria to play a more active role in the revival of interest in Baroque music in Europe and will be a long-term investment in the future of young musicians, education and the country’s cultural life. It will be available to the next generation of performers, giving them the opportunity to discover the world of historically informed performance practice.