Hamelin performs Scriabin Sonata no. 4, Op. 30, Andante - Prestissimo volando

[CH3CH2OCH2CH3net]

The clarity Hamelin achieves in this piece -— where you can *every single line* in all that counterpoint, with all those gigantic chords going on in the second movement -— is nothing short of *miraculous*.

Hamelin and Feinberg both have convinced me that the first movement is an introduction- a fantasy, which introduces the themes which are developed in the second movement (the actual sonata).They are the ONLY TWO performances of this piece I've ever heard where the form was clearly delineated!

[Mezzotenor]

I prefer Hamelin's version over others offered on this site. I agree that one of its chief attractions is that avoids neurotic shifts in tempo, which tics may, in fact, have been how the composer played his pieces. (Reality check: He was nuts. Read a biography). Starting at 6:55, Hamelin prevents huge handfuls of notes from getting in the way of a clear recapitulation of the initial theme. I may have to purchase his set of sonatas to stand with Ashkenazy's on my shelf. THANKS for posting!

[XeDolceQuestaMusica]

I like the picture.

[GianculaT]

S E R G I O F I O R E N T I N O

[alkuhn1]

Hamelin is just unbelievable: everything so crystal clear. Wonderful. I prefer Sofronitsky but only by a half inch or so. Great. Thanks. alkuhn1

[gymgymgymgym]

is this from his complete sonatas album ?

[G33kz0r]

@gymgymgymgym Yes, the 1996 album. I'm not aware of any other recording of this piece by Hamelin.

[gymgymgymgym]

@G33kz0r  thanks, i HAVE to buy it now after hearing this !! amazing

[brianCIM]

I love Hamelin's Scriabin's sonatas. This piece is just incredible. Completely addictive. One thing I adore is that Hamelin doesn't shift tempos all over the place. His particular rhythmic command is so refreshing. I don't understand why pianists play this with tempo shifts all over the place. So many pianists feel that because Scriabin's personality was so neurotic and intense that they translate it when performing. And the climax Hamelin builds is just insane. THANK YOU G33k0r!

[G33kz0r]

@brianCIM Yes, many pianists abuse the rubato. The mark of a good pianist is conservative, punctual use of the rubato, so as to elucidate the picture and not distort it.

Classical music is much more complicated than most people imagine, pianists included. Playing by your feelings may make you a good jazz or pop musician; but in order to be a good classical musician, you must play by the composer's feelings, and make sure your interpretation does not antagonize the composer.

[brianCIM]

@G33kz0r Believe me i know of which you speak. i have played this piece many times in public but rarely have i been satisfied with my efforts. the figurations in the left hand are murderous and take the most sensitive ear and depth of thought when pedaling them.

[The1976spirit]

@brianCIM Where´s your upload of op. 30?What do you think about Gavrilov?

[brianCIM]

@The1976spirit i have not recorded this. but actually i have been working on it again. I have never been satisfied with my efforts. I have the Gavrilov and Pletnev recordings which are both excellent. You should listen to the Samuel Feinberg recording. It's awesome. Also i heard an Anton Kuerti recording on LP years ago that was magnificent, but alas i have never seen it on youtube. i find the Sofronitsky recording AMAZING tonally but quite helter-skelter and structure-less.

[The1976spirit]

@brianCIM I heard Sofronitzky with Vers la flamme op. 72; so Bolero should start with ff. No Sofronitzky any more! i don´t like Pletnev, because i heard Gavrlov first: thats energy, suspence!

Kuerti and Feinberg i´ll investigate for. Gavrilov´s EMI record CDC 7 47346 2 from 1984 was one of the first full DDD records. I had to buy it from amazon. There is no link on Andrei´s homepage, but i forced him to record Debussy, he promised this to me!

op.30 I studied 1981, should I reanimate it?

[Dihelson]

@G33kz0r there´s no such a thing like "playing by the composer´s feeling". That´s why there´s so many performers. One can play completely different, A paper means almost nothing. Music is constructed by the mind. Rachmaninov played a Scriabin prelude ( 11 - 8 ) very slow, contrary to the composer and is way far better. He discovered by criativity new ways to play the same thing. This is mastering music. Music should be played as if it was performer´s propriety, with freshness like jazz

[G33kz0r]

@Dihelson I only meant it as a suggestion and not a rule. Yes, if you are like Rachmaninov you may find a better, radically different interpretation of a piece than the original composer. But most musicians are not exceptional composers.

[Dihelson]

@G33kz0r Thanks for the comment.

[athenodoros]

exciting