Scriabin Etude Op.8 No.11 (Horowitz)

[MrRrrrvvvv]

Both Chopin and Scriabin excel in piano music in their own unique way. Scriabin's music however changed quite radically over time and he was also great at writing orchestral pieces..

[Balgig]

I wish this piece lasted longer.

[largolegato]

The beginning sounds like Rach. 

[lukebaker1001]

scriabin is like a dark sexy version of chopin ... where chopin is quiet clear and introspective scriabin is evocative powerful and piercing

[hellomate639]

@lukebaker1001

Indeed. The early music of Scriabin assaults you whereas Chopin draws you in peacefully.

[Bruce88keys]

HOROWITIZ is the best pianist DEAD or ALIVE

[MertezAad]

The lyricism in a lot of his early works sorta gives a Chopin feel, but if you've ever played his works for piano, it is nothing like playing Chopin!

[fallenangel3652]

@bobproduction why not what?

[pugay69]

This is like Chopin.... but better.

[TheGraysianViolinist]

I'm drowning in the sentimentality in the middle section. :(

Love this piece!

[Montyleeny14]

5 stars from me aswell - very nostalgic and mystical! :-)

[Chopin1974l]

Achingly beautiful! At no point throughout the course of the piece does Horowitz compromise the integrity of Scriabin's intent. The multiple melodic lines are brought out so clearly and due emphasis emparted to each. The peace that results creates an atmosphere of calm and transcends all surrounding it. Outstanding performance that abounds with light and pristine phrases of ethereal beauty.

[boly666]

This is the first time I hear this, it's so peaceful. Five stars!

[danielito1979]

great stuff



[trevjr]

I have played this piece most of my life, the hardest thing to get the inner voices balanced just right. Horowitz is such a master of this, I really try to imitate him but it is so difficult. I really think playing softly with balance is so much harder than fast and loud. So many pianists fast and loud never really make it, it is the ones with soul and communication that make it. And i agree, the first 3 notes, just amazing. This piece already surpassed Chopin in many ways.

[Martel211996]

The first 3 notes. Can play such a big effect on the heart. It pierces right through, a question "WHY, WHY WHY?"

[justin10292000]

Beautiful music performed wonderfully! Horowitz's use of dynamics and rubato is very expressive and sensitive. Thank you for posting this...

[dasklavierleben]

That dotted triplet figure in the left hand that occurs first around 1:03 is very evocative of the romantic school of chopin and liszt in my opinion.

[marginallymental]

Scriabin leaves me breathless!! My heart just HANGS on every note.

[PwningIRL]

Woow this is pretty good. Not the best I've heard, though.

[Mjws2907]

@PwningIRL

What's the best you heard then?

[Inattuale]

may someone who can play this give me some advice? =)

[th3wing3dpaint3r]

I don't play it perfectly but maybe i can help you out.

[jasonextreme]

"OMG look at me! I'm a perfectionist who claims he didn't play the last 2 notes perfectly! It say 'rest' damnit!

[Icewalker]

I wonder how Sofronitsky would've played this beast...

[WhatAxBrit]

any idea of where i can get sheet music for this song? i cant seem to find it anywhere on google >.>

[meredith218461]

For me only two pianists could get to the heart of Scriabin and they are Horowitz of course and Richter.

[chopinandliszt]

In fact, Mozart influenced Hummel, Hummel influenced Chopin, Chopin influenced Scriabin.

[TomBarristerX]

Hummel also had much influence on the early works of Robert Schumann.

Mr. Hummel also had much influence on modern piano technique; he was Czerny's teacher.

[chopinandliszt]

True, Schumann longed to be his pupil and practiced his F sharp minor sonata. Liszt couldn't pay for the lesson fees, he ended up learning with Czerny instead, who taught him for free. Mendelssohn had the privilege of getting lessons from this great master. In some ways, his genius even rivalled that of the great Beethoven.

[remyrem121]

@chopinandliszt How did this get two thumbs down?You made a valid point and used proper grammar.I don't understand youtube.

[chopinandliszt]

this sounds strikingly similar to the second part of Chopin polonaise op.26 no.1.

[OceanbornSWT]

This is awesome, i'm studying piano and from the next summer I want to present some Scriabin's pieces, and this particullary is my favorite, is difficult but Scriabin always represents a challange.

[reddoghud]

This piece is actually not all that difficult. I learned it a couple years ago. A couple of uncommon harmonies here and there, but otherwise, it sits pretty easily under the fingers.

[OceanbornSWT]

Well, I know that the techicnal difficult in this piece isn't big, but the challenge in the Scriabin's partitures is how to perfom theme, I've studied piano by less of 1 year, so yo maybe understand me (I'm playing Clementi's and Bach's pieces)

[reddoghud]

I agree. The challenge in this piece is to make sure that all of the voices are heard in each layer at the appropriate time. Horowitz was an expert at really making the voice "sing" with the right kind of sadness or desperation a piece like this commands.

[pptcl]

聲部推移的微妙，我了解

弦律間巧妙的對話



姐係..... 請指教

[seremerow]

聲部推移的微妙，

弦律間巧妙的對話，

此演奏乃大師之作!!

[princenosiatajansen]

yes, to :playin...

[playingchessonmars]

There is no need to compare Chopin and Scriabin since they are both brilliant and deep composers in their own way. Maybe there is a little Chopin in this particular piece but in the early works of Chopin himself you can also hear who his musical idols were.

It is not bad to get inspired, inspiration is not copying. All composers and musicians tend to follow their favorites before they learn to develop a personal style.

[chopinandliszt]

You mean, Chopin was influenced by Hummel, like how Scriabin was influenced by Chopin?

[demosj]

Incredible piece, I kind of like to think of it as a musical portrait of cities in film noir.

[elevenwhy]

Let's just remember when comparing heavyweight and highly insightful romantic composers that we can use objective valuations of emotion.

I love them both.

[marcphilos]

Beautifully elegaic. Tension abounds in every phrase.

[Felduin]

pure mastership, listening to pop-music after listening to this is like dying

[gymgymgymgym]

and going to hell

[stagesix6]

scriabin>chopin

[lonewolf604]

sorry....chopin is the master....nothing beats his ballades

[kwastormayt]

and his nocturnes :)

[gymgymgymgym]

@lonewolf604 Scriabin > Chopin

[zurzica51]

great.. :O

[fallenangel3652]

the time periods definitely have a lot to to do with the complexity, a greater harmonic vocabulary certainly allows for a greater depth of expression.. but Scriabins early works remind me of Chopins later works..the harmony and the chromaticism

[fallenangel3652]

i can hear the influence of Chopin loud and clear in this piece..

[fionasapple]

this is far more complex & deeper than any prelude ever wrote.

i'm not sure when this was written, but i read that Scriabin wrote his so thought "chopin-like compositions" in his earlier years.

if that's true, then chopin had a long way to go to get this level of expression.

don't get me wrong, i LOVE chopin's concertos & sonatas :D

the difference in complexity might be due to Scriabin being born long after chopin was dead. music could have and probably did evolve a lot during that time.

[EuphoricDan]

I'm not sure that I can agree that this is deeper or more emotional than chopin. This reminds me of Fred's Mazurkas. Although his Mazurkas aren't among his more famous works it is where Chopin explored harmonies and emotional expression more so than anywhere else in his music (IMO).

[hellomate639]

@fallenangel3652

I can also hear the Russian sound, which amounts to an amazing combination...

[bobproduction1]

@fallenangel3652 why not?

[somnynightin78]

@fallenangel3652 Actually I hear a lot of Chopin influence in a lot of Scriabin's works (mostly his early works though), but hey imitation is the best form of flattery.

[TehBrettster]

@fallenangel3652 I always think of Scriabin as a Russian Chopin.

[007strauss]

That's what Scriabin wanted to say!

[seryrzu]

Perhaps!

It is mine opinion too!

[dsm2240]

It was curious at 1:30 that there was a drastic key signature change for only 2 measures.

[xxmynameisjohnxx]

That actually isn't that drastic a key signature change, going from Db to E is common, it's just like if someone were to go from C to Eb, it's just in this case it should for from Db to Fb, but Scriabin went to E since it's an actual key, unlike Fb. Debussy does the same key change in Clair De Lune, he just keeps it there for a little longer rather than just a few bars. Composer, especially from Scriabin's time, very often change keys for only a few measure, it's just usually without a sig.

[ColtonBrook]

During this time the use of key signatures was waining. More and more composer went back to modal methods and key or pitch centers. The Impressionist movement is all about hinting at things or giving 'impressions' of keys. Thus you get what seem like rapid modulations for small segments of time. Also, going from Db to E is a very foreign modulation, and as a results constitutes 'drastic' (Db = 5b and E = 4#).

[davidavid2009]

Best of the best....

[007strauss]

The very best interpretation of that masterpiece I've ever heard. Horowitz rules!

[jonas616]

Where can I find sheets on this one? Other than those in the video. A little to blurry for my eyes...

[COCOONFABULA]

Search for "Scriabin etude op.8 n.12" take Wiki' article, see 'External links' and click on "Etudes op.8"

[jonas616]

Thank you! :)

[COCOONFABULA]

You're welcome ;) However this piece is terrifying to play o.O

[jonas616]

Indeed! Horowitz did a great job, as usual. Very dynamic and touching.

Are you a pianist? :)

[COCOONFABULA]

Yes I am ^^ And you ?

[jonas616]

No, i am a guitarist, but i do take some piano lessons at school. I've been playing for 2 years soon. I'm working on Fuga Y Misterio for 2 pianos at the time. Pretty cool piece.

[COCOONFABULA]

Baah I don't like the guitar =P I'm going to listen that Fuga

[COCOONFABULA]

I listened to the Fuga and yeah pretty cool =)

[jonas616]

Amazing!

[soami2u]

Lovely! Horowitz makes the music breathe...a ravishing performance

[SunnySunshineRiver]

It's nice to hear the music with score~

[tekaronhienhawi]

this might sound stupid, but does anyone have any of his stuff on itunes?

my computer wont let me download them, but if anyone can send them to me,

that'd be really great(Y).

[tekaronhienhawi]

isn't it lvely.

[bandong1234567890]

offcoarse it is

[trevjr]

I love how Horowitz plays this, best performance of this, the way he brings out the inner melodies. Scriabin passed Chopin very quickly and very few works sound like Chopin. Scriabin sounds like Scriabin very early on.This is one of his most melancholy pieces. I really love it.

[PlatypusofCalifornia]

Come on....1:02-1:42 is so chopin.

Let me rephrase myself though. The scriabin you hear here is very different than the scriabin from much later on.

[123eldest]

how do they create such beautiful melodies?

[kasyapa]

perfection.

[PlatypusofCalifornia]

They say his early works were reminscent of chopin, and influenced by him. You can hear that here, its very different from the style he adopted in composing later on. Still, if I heard this I would not call it chopin, its an interesting mix between chopinism, and russian sounding melodies.

[sasha42196]

This etude was written in 1894, Scriabin was only 22.

[lyralary]

pas mal pour du Horowitz, d'habitude je n'aime pas.

[werq34ac]

Not bad for Horowitz? Even Rachmaninoff admitted Horowitz was better than him. I don't think anyone can argue against that.

[bandong1234567890]

extremely correct

[Hervinbalfour]

I dont think that Rachmaninoff said he was better than him but I do recall reading that Rachmaninoff said that Horowitz plays his works better than he does.  I could be wrong.

[eeradinator]

@Hervinbalfour in David Dubal's book evenings with Horowitz this is quoted. Horowitz recounted the story to Dubal that Rachmaninoff had said this to him after hearing him play his b flat minor sonata.

[RemyClavell]

Your French sucks.

[alvarito45]

Toda la música de Scriabin es perfecta. Junto con Ravel y Debussy son dioses!! Grandioso!!

[patpenel]

Il existe une version de cettte étude, où Horowitz va encore plus loin dans l'interprétation. C'est un bis de concert, avec des accents encore plus inspirés de nostalgie.

[Mjws2907]

Est-ce que vous avez un lien de cet concert? Où un fichier, où un lien pour télécharger ce pièce? Merci en avance.

[bodyboarder3452]

je suis apprendre francais :) si vous pouvier me dire ce que "lien" est, je pourrais vous aider, je ne parle bien en francais et il faut que je pratique lol

[GlennGouldGG]

Sensitively executed. Beautiful.

[janvkimm]

There is no better Skriabin-player than Horowitz is !

Greetings ,

Jan.

[Lukecash12]

I don't know. Scriabin did an amazing job of his songs too. There are several piano rolls of him. You should give them a look.

[NOSEhow2LIV]

Songs are sung. Scriabin wrote only one. You mean pieces, or works.

[Lukecash12]

oh, thank you for correcting me. I thought i broke that habit a long time back...

[gymgymgymgym]

@NOSEhow2LIV Do you know of any recordings of Scriabin's Romance for voice ?

[aewanko300]

Pure ecstasy.

[sasha42196]

Love Scriabin. Never heard this etude before and it is now a favorite right after op 2 no 1 and op 8 no 12

[armlias]

you should listen op 45 no 5 ^^

[janvkimm]

It is so beautiful indeed !!

Jan

[guboub]

One of the best recordings of Horowitz...  Every note sings and there is never a dull moment. And have you heard how masters the voicing so every inner melody is alive and feels like natural?

[slothvader]

One of the best recordings of Horowitz

agree.

[sybilla92]

I love Scriabin!! this etude is fantastic!...Horowitz is absolutely the best!...I have to study this etude for my piano exam..it's very hard..thank you rmannion!

[GinoTheSinner]

rmannion bringing it.

[bubbaXzone]

OMG I love scriabin I never knew about him till I found this work here. Ty for posting it. Cause I think I got another composer I really like.

[gymgymgymgym]

@bubbaXzone I am so happy that you have found Scriabin. You posted that comment about two years ago, have you listened to much of his other works ?

[123eldest]

Are u supposed to play those left hand chords in one stretch??? e.g the b g g 3rd bar 1st page.

[SmallPorgies]

I think its assumed that what you can't reach you play similarly to what was written in the first bar concerning the bass

[123eldest]

ok thx alot

[baroquegeek]

Oh such a haunting melody! I thank you for having the sheet music going along with the melody.

[aldebussy]

Scriabin was completely DE-PRESSED! Lovely!

[prismsmiles]

seriously, thank you man for doing this

[amorjan984]

amazing

[pollekepetaatekop]

What an incedible melancholy.

[uo12345678910]

beautiful!!!!!!!!!

[dri3s]

Scriabin in tearjerker mode....

[Gorowitz]

The master in his prime. I am now speaking both of the composer and the performer.

[Alessandro1985]

Excellent choice!!!!!!!!!!!! My fave study from Op.8!

[ScriabinFanatic]

Beautiful!