Scriabin, Alexander (1872-1915)

[richardfinegold]

Currently listening to sonata no. 10 by Scriabin, played by Roberto Szidon.

Absolutely amazing, transcendentally ecstatic, sensuous, multi-coloured, glittering, crystalline, iridescent, perfumed... mystical visionary. And for me, it has to be Szidon - his recordings of sonatas nos. 6 - 10 had such a deep impact on me when I first got to know them that I am now somewhat resistant to hearing other renditions, the works are in a sense 'trapped' inside these particular recordings, for me.

Did you experience any color sensations?

[Joseph K]

Did you experience any color sensations?

I wouldn't say I experienced any colour sensations, no. But when I was at uni, there were a few times that I had sort of quasi-visionary experiences while listening to the late Scriabin sonatas, with the help of cannabis (bit unseemly, I apologise).

Anyway, I am currently listening to the 8th, played by Ashkenazy. I have some what loosened up as regards listening to interpretations of these pieces other than Szidon.

[Conchis]

The idea of Scriabin is better than the actuality of Scriabin.

I find him a bit 'meh', tbh.

His music is enjoyable in a 'let it wash over you' sort of way, but I don't think it's at all memorable.

Yet another composer who went mad and married his sister (sic).

[ahinton]

The idea of Scriabin is better than the actuality of Scriabin.

...

His music is enjoyable in a 'let it wash over you' sort of way, but I don't think it's at all memorable.

I find just the opposite! Highly disciplined and fastidiously organised as well as full of fantasy - and, in the case of his piano music, exquisitely written for the instrument.

I well recall attending a remarkable recital in which the Scriabin specialist Jonathan Powell perfomed all ten numbered sonatas in chronological order of composition with an interval following no. 5; it gave a whole new perspective to them as though they had a second existence as a single work documenting the composer's development as a pianist/composer.

[Joseph K]

This might interest people, a podcast with Marina Frolova-Walker -

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/4925--presto-music-classical-podcast-episode-31-scriabin-with-marina-frolova-walker?fbclid=IwAR0NfC5NbblVLgo15piTrsD_ZT11o1use8yUKB5NGeRHESuOSXxO58Qof_M

[smittims]

There's a good second symphony (Stavanger SO) on 'Through the Night' for last Thursday 4 October, on BBC Sounds, at just after 1 am. I hadn't heard the work for years and enjoyed it very much.

[Barbirollians]

Interesting reconsideration of the Ashkenazy/Maazel recording of the Scriabin Piano Concerto in Gramophone this month.

[smittims]

The concerto is., I think, underrated. I love Solomon's recording, an early tape effort (1949). Lovely solo by Dennis Brain at the start.

[Bryn]

The concerto is., I think, underrated. I love Solomon's recording, an early tape effort (1949). Lovely solo by Dennis Brain at the start.

From Brian Wilson's MusicWeb review of the Beulah download of the Scriabin et al:

For the Scriabin Solomon was on unexplored territory – he had never played it before and all concerned vetoed its release until it was issued on CD in 1971, along with the Liszt and the Bliss Piano Concerto, which he had commissioned1. This is the least acceptable of the recordings on these two releases but it doesn’t require too much tolerance and though the performance is hardly worthy of being regarded as a benchmark, it’s certainly well worth hearing Solomon’s take on a concerto which, even now, is not over-burdened with recordings. For a modern recording Yevgeny Sudbin with the Bergen Philharmonic and Andrew Litton would be a strong recommendation (BIS-2088, SACD, with Medtner – review – DL News).

[smittims]

Thanks for posting that, Bryn. I've been quite satisfied with EMI's 1991 remastering. Stephen Plaistow in 2008 praises the performance and speculates that it was the recording which prompted its delay. It was one of a series sponsored by the Maharajah of Mysore.

[Bryn]

Thanks for posting that, Bryn. I've been quite satisfied with EMI's 1991 remastering. Stephen Plaistow in 2008 praises the performance and speculates that it was the recording which prompted its delay. It was one of a series sponsored by the Maharajah of Mysore.

Yes, I too have the Icon box. I think Stephen Plaistow, in the programme notes, gives a very fair appraisal of the recording. However, it's Solomon, I love it, but one has to acknowledge that other views exist. I wonder what Solomon would have made of Morton Feldman's early piano writing.

[Bryn]

Here's some Scriabin that will be well worth hearing:

https://jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/event/scriabin-complete-piano-sonatas-jonathan-powell?fbclid=IwAR3nwt3yaSpIZ6r76JwyixOne5AtGs8rakh74zIhkwHLTC0nm3Z6B_UgxFk

Other dares in Bristol and Egham (Royal Holloway):

https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/whats-on/jonathan-powell-scriabin-piano-sonatas/

and

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/music/events/scriabin-at-150-jonathan-powell-piano/

[Joseph K]

Here's some Scriabin that will be well worth hearing:

https://jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/event/scriabin-complete-piano-sonatas-jonathan-powell?fbclid=IwAR3nwt3yaSpIZ6r76JwyixOne5AtGs8rakh74zIhkwHLTC0nm3Z6B_UgxFk

My bank balance is now looking decidedly depleted, but I managed to book the ticket, train tickets and hostel for this. (Thank goodness I didn't have to pay the hostel fee in full right away). I am really looking forward to it!

[Mandryka]

Just saw this thread, and by coincidence I've been enjoying Finnissy's homage to Scriabin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWVHyijSAMw&t=254s&ab_channel=JaredRedmond

I find that music really erotic, and I think quite a lot of Scriabin's later music is raunchy too.

[Joseph K]

and I think quite a lot of Scriabin's later music is raunchy too.

Agreed 100%. Thanks for bringing our attention to the Finnissy, which I have playing now.