His 555 known harpsichord sonatas, more than half of which were written during the final six years of his life, show him to be the most original innovator of harmony in the 18th century. Some, with their wonderful Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish dance rhythms combined with lively, surprising harmonic turns, make for very uplifting listening; others are more lyrically sombre and quiet in mood. Scarlatti wrote in many other genres (operas, cantatas, church music). Salve Regina (1757), his last work, is beautiful. ~ Blue Gene Tyranny