Scriabins Temple

[jowcol]

just found this

http://books.google.dk/books?id=IdrSpBKW06cC&dq=Faubion+Bowers+scriabin&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=Ojhw8lSsbC&sig=0U8zHI3uESO_z7PtecYeQFaktZM&hl=da&ei=eZPTSv2qJJTE-Qasu6mPAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCYQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Very Cool.  Bowers was also a fascinating character-- it's worth looking him up on Wikipedia.

[scarlattiglenross]

The second, revised edition of Bowers' Scriabin biography is now back in print after some years fetching ridiculous prices in the rarities sections:

http://www.amazon.com/Scriabin-Biography-Revised-Faubion-Bowers/dp/0486288978/

[canninator]

I'm hoping some of the pianophiles can help me out here. I want to get some (maybe start with 1 disc or a 2fer) Scriabin solo piano. Where to start? Sofronitsky seems to be the man but I have no idea what is available in what sort of sound quality. Sudbin has been talked up, any advice?

[Scarpia]

I'm hoping some of the pianophiles can help me out here. I want to get some (maybe start with 1 disc or a 2fer) Scriabin solo piano. Where to start? Sofronitsky seems to be the man but I have no idea what is available in what sort of sound quality. Sudbin has been talked up, any advice?

I would think a 2-fer of the Sonatas would be a pretty representative collection of Scriabin (ranging from Chopinesq early works to psychopathic late works).  I have a few but I think Ogden was the most convincing overall.

[SonicMan46]

I'm hoping some of the pianophiles can help me out here. I want to get some (maybe start with 1 disc or a 2fer) Scriabin solo piano. Where to start? Sofronitsky seems to be the man but I have no idea what is available in what sort of sound quality. Sudbin has been talked up, any advice?

Well, the discs below are the ones that I own of the solo piano works - if you want just one disc, Elena Kuschnerova is just beautiful in the pieces she performs; if you want a BOX, the Lettberg is a great choice - looking forward to other responses - 


   

[jowcol]

I'm hoping some of the pianophiles can help me out here. I want to get some (maybe start with 1 disc or a 2fer) Scriabin solo piano. Where to start? Sofronitsky seems to be the man but I have no idea what is available in what sort of sound quality. Sudbin has been talked up, any advice?

This Horowitz collection has both his romantic and late stuff well represented, and for one disc is a solid intro. 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CF325/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000003EOZ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DA2WPAYAZPBB8YGCNV4

I don't collect versions by too many artists unless I need to, but a collection of  the ten sonatas as a twofer would also treat you well.

Ashkenazy's take on the two Poems Op 71 is also good.

[canninator]

This Horowitz collection has both his romantic and late stuff well represented, and for one disc is a solid intro. 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CF325/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000003EOZ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DA2WPAYAZPBB8YGCNV4

I don't collect versions by too many artists unless I need to, but a collection of  the ten sonatas as a twofer would also treat you well.

Ashkenazy's take on the two Poems Op 71 is also good.

The Horowitz is £2.95 on amazon, it just buys itself, thanks 

I've seen the Ogden 2fer on EMI which looks like it has all the sonatas. I may get that.

[canninator]

I've gone for this also. By all accounts it's top draw.

[Drasko]

I'm hoping some of the pianophiles can help me out here. I want to get some (maybe start with 1 disc or a 2fer) Scriabin solo piano. Where to start? Sofronitsky seems to be the man but I have no idea what is available in what sort of sound quality. Sudbin has been talked up, any advice?

Sofronitsky is the finest Scriabin player I ever heard, but the question of sound quality (usually fair to poor) and quality of pianos (especially Scriabin's Bechstein) does exist, and for starters temporarily passing on him is not such a bad idea.

With getting few good recital discs from different pianists the problem is some of the repertoire is going to get doubled, but it's not bad way to start. Sudbin's disc is very good. Playing is mostly on cerebral side, with admirable attention to detail and excellent feel for overall structure of the piece. Not the most exciting Scriabin around but quite worthwhile. Another recital by young-ish pianist I'd recommend is Alexander Melnikov's on Harmonia Mundi, edgier approach than Sudbin but playing non worse (and he plays complete op.75 Preludes - these are not to be missed). Third solo disc I'd go for is one of Horrowitz's. Scriabin elicits some of his finest playing, and CBS 'Horowitz plays Scriabin' is exemplary. 

http://www.amazon.com/Scriabine-Alexander-Scriabin/dp/B000EZ8QS4
http://www.amazon.com/Yevgeny-Sudbin-Plays-Scriabin-Hybrid/dp/B000WH5AYC
http://www.amazon.com/Horowitz-Plays-Scriabin-Alexander/dp/B0000CF325

Getting two-disc set of complete Sonatas is also very good idea, it allows to follow Scriabin's development. Melodiya has just released on CD what is for me possibly best set of complete sonatas - 70s cycle by Igor Zhukov. He can get occasionally bit brutal but his instincts, phrasing, accents are most of the time spot on. It's currently available for pre-order very cheaply from amazon, and I think opportunity shouldn't be missed.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonatas-Scriabin/dp/B004FSJPFO

And after all this you still have hankering to check out Sofronitsky, recitals from '58 and '60 on japanese Denon offer some of the finest Scriabin playing there is. These are also available from Vista Vera.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCQ-83669
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCQ-83970

http://www.vistavera.com/index.php?productID=1419
http://www.vistavera.com/index.php?productID=1420   

[canninator]

Sofronitsky is the finest Scriabin player I ever heard, but the question of sound quality (usually fair to poor) and quality of pianos (especially Scriabin's Bechstein) does exist, and for starters temporarily passing on him is not such a bad idea.

With getting few good recital discs from different pianists the problem is some of the repertoire is going to get doubled, but it's not bad way to start. Sudbin's disc is very good. Playing is mostly on cerebral side, with admirable attention to detail and excellent feel for overall structure of the piece. Not the most exciting Scriabin around but quite worthwhile. Another recital by young-ish pianist I'd recommend is Alexander Melnikov's on Harmonia Mundi, edgier approach than Sudbin but playing non worse (and he plays complete op.75 Preludes - these are not to be missed). Third solo disc I'd go for is one of Horrowitz's. Scriabin elicits some of his finest playing, and CBS 'Horowitz plays Scriabin' is exemplary. 

http://www.amazon.com/Scriabine-Alexander-Scriabin/dp/B000EZ8QS4
http://www.amazon.com/Yevgeny-Sudbin-Plays-Scriabin-Hybrid/dp/B000WH5AYC
http://www.amazon.com/Horowitz-Plays-Scriabin-Alexander/dp/B0000CF325

Getting two-disc set of complete Sonatas is also very good idea, it allows to follow Scriabin's development. Melodiya has just released on CD what is for me possibly best set of complete sonatas - 70s cycle by Igor Zhukov. He can get occasionally bit brutal but his instincts, phrasing, accents are most of the time spot on. It's currently available for pre-order very cheaply from amazon, and I think opportunity shouldn't be missed.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonatas-Scriabin/dp/B004FSJPFO

And after all this you still have hankering to check out Sofronitsky, recitals from '58 and '60 on japanese Denon offer some of the finest Scriabin playing there is. These are also available from Vista Vera.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCQ-83669
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCQ-83970

http://www.vistavera.com/index.php?productID=1419
http://www.vistavera.com/index.php?productID=1420

Many thanks to all for your help. I've gone with Horowitz and Sofronitsky. I may plump for the Zhukov soon.

[Philoctetes]

Many thanks to all for your help. I've gone with Horowitz and Sofronitsky. I may plump for the Zhukov son.

I may have to post these on youtube, but my favorite Scrabin is Kuerti (but I'm rather biased towards him).

[Cato]

I thought it was time to open up the Temple after almost a year!   0:)

I just under "What Are Listening To?" wrote about the complete Sonatas by Ruth Laredo (Nonesuch) and Michael Ponti (VOX) from the 1970's.

[asin]B00007J4SK[/asin]

[asin]B000005IWW[/asin]

Any opinions on these or other cycles?  I have not heard the newer ones by e.g. Maria Lettberg.

[Karl Henning]

I've not yet listened to all of the Lettberg set, but I'm very pleased with all that I have heard.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[Cato]

http://www.youtube.com/v/83y6dWru0XU

I came across this by accident: Alexander Nemtin is the quixotic composer who spent 30 years assembling/"creating"/channeling Scriabin's unfinished Mysterium.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I just under "What Are Listening To?" wrote about the complete Sonatas by Ruth Laredo (Nonesuch) and Michael Ponti (VOX) from the 1970's.


[asin]B000005IWW[/asin]

Any opinions on these or other cycles?  I have not heard the newer ones by e.g. Maria Lettberg.

I have the Laredo. It's a remarkable set with stunning sound, recorded originally by the Connoisseur Society.

I'm also a fan of Ashkenazy's set. And there are always individual sonata recordings to consider, such as Gavrilov's 4th, Richter's 5th, 6th, and 9th, as well as a sleeper in Kocyan's 1st and 2nd, below:



[asin]B0000E3306[/asin]

 

[Mirror Image]

I'm really quite surprised by the lack of orchestral recordings of Scriabin's music. For me, this is some of the most gorgeous music coming out of Russia during this time. He's one of my favorites Russians, although I have a greater preference for Shosty, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky, but there's something elusive and overwhelming about this music that I have to take notice.

To my knowledge, there are only three cycles of his symphonies: Muti, Ashkenazy, Segerstam, and Inbal (I believe?). I haven't heard Inbal's recordings. Muti's is the best of the lot IMHO. He lives and breathes this music and knows how to keep this music flowing. A great set if you can find. Apparently, it's out-of-print and ridiculously expensive.

[Madiel]

Hello, Scriabin afficionados.

So, after looking at Spotify sideways/extremely warily at first, I figured out that it is quite a good way to explore music I'm a bit curious about.  And Mr Scriabin became my first choice of a classical composer to investigate.  Knowing barely anything besides one of the opus 42 etudes which I learnt back in the day...

I'm taking the chronological approach, or rather the opus number approach which I think in this case works out to be pretty close.  And while I'm enjoying much of the earlyish music a great deal (heck, I like the piano concerto I'm listening to right now and I'm not on the whole a big fan of the concerto genre), it's usually not terribly radical music yet.  Well-constructed, definitely, but at this point more often than not we have an extremely skilled pupil of Chopin and Liszt on our hands.

I know this is going to change.  What I'm curious to know is when, in the opinion of people more familiar with Scriabin, is it going to change?  Which work or works would you point to and say 'there, now we're really getting something that is recognisably, uniquely Scriabin'?

Wikipedia's list of compositions places the beginning of the 'middle' period at opus 30 (piano sonata no.4).  Is that a fair marker of the point where he's leaving his models behind?

[North Star]

Hello, Scriabin afficionados.

So, after looking at Spotify sideways/extremely warily at first, I figured out that it is quite a good way to explore music I'm a bit curious about.  And Mr Scriabin became my first choice of a classical composer to investigate.  Knowing barely anything besides one of the opus 42 etudes which I learnt back in the day...

I'm taking the chronological approach, or rather the opus number approach which I think in this case works out to be pretty close.  And while I'm enjoying much of the earlyish music a great deal (heck, I like the piano concerto I'm listening to right now and I'm not on the whole a big fan of the concerto genre), it's usually not terribly radical music yet.  Well-constructed, definitely, but at this point more often than not we have an extremely skilled pupil of Chopin and Liszt on our hands.

I know this is going to change.  What I'm curious to know is when, in the opinion of people more familiar with Scriabin, is it going to change?  Which work or works would you point to and say 'there, now we're really getting something that is recognisably, uniquely Scriabin'?

Wikipedia's list of compositions places the beginning of the 'middle' period at opus 30 (piano sonata no.4).  Is that a fair marker of the point where he's leaving his models behind?

Yes, Op. 30 is accepted as a threshold. Also the whole poème genre was Scriabin's middle-period invention.
Note how, after Op. 57, there aren't any key signatures (neither in many pieces before that).

Here's a quotation (or two) from Maria Lettberg's superb set of the complete solo piano works with opus numbers:

From 1898 to 1902, Scriabin taught the piano at the conservatory in Moscow.
The years from 1893 to 1903, until the Sonata No. 4 Op. 30, are a part of Scriabin's first artistic period.

However, Scriabin's originality and talent are powerful enough to soon extend and renew Chopin's style, and to arrive at his own unique and unmistakeable [sic] musical language. This transition took place in the years from 1899 to 1903 when Scriabin wrote very little for the piano and instead focussed on symphonic music. The result of this were his first three symphonies, the third one, Divine Symphony, being the most important one.
...
The final five years of his life (1910 to 1915) were marked by Scriabin's unfinished first part of a woek, Preparatory Action. The surviving outline point towards the content of the composer's planned total artwork, Arcanum. This synthetic work was to unite all kinds of art and accomplish no less than an elevation of humanity to a new level of evolution.

During his final years, Scriabin also returned to the piano with all his attention. He wrote the Sonatas No. 6 to 10; the Poèmes Op. 63, 69, 71; Vers la flamme Op. 72;Deux Danses Op. 73; and Préludes Op. 74 - from the perspective of the deep mystery, the Arcanum

[Mandryka]

Hello, Scriabin afficionados.

So, after looking at Spotify sideways/extremely warily at first, I figured out that it is quite a good way to explore music I'm a bit curious about.  And Mr Scriabin became my first choice of a classical composer to investigate.  Knowing barely anything besides one of the opus 42 etudes which I learnt back in the day...

I'm taking the chronological approach, or rather the opus number approach which I think in this case works out to be pretty close.  And while I'm enjoying much of the earlyish music a great deal (heck, I like the piano concerto I'm listening to right now and I'm not on the whole a big fan of the concerto genre), it's usually not terribly radical music yet.  Well-constructed, definitely, but at this point more often than not we have an extremely skilled pupil of Chopin and Liszt on our hands.

I know this is going to change.  What I'm curious to know is when, in the opinion of people more familiar with Scriabin, is it going to change?  Which work or works would you point to and say 'there, now we're really getting something that is recognisably, uniquely Scriabin'?

Wikipedia's list of compositions places the beginning of the 'middle' period at opus 30 (piano sonata no.4).  Is that a fair marker of the point where he's leaving his models behind?

Yes, just thinking of the sonatas it's at the 5th that I start to get very interested. I'm not sure I care much about anything before op 52. Just maybe some of the op 42 etudes, op 42 / 5. Just maybe.

Try Mustonen's Op 6 on spotify, he makes the early pieces sound less derivative of Chopin.

Sometimes even in Chopin mode he produces some fine music, like the nocturne for the left hand op 9. It always reminds me of Chopin op 45, which in turn always reminds me of Brahms. Strange.

[Mandryka]

How special is Schliessmann's Scriabin CD? Does anyone know it?