Scriabin : Sonata no. 5 op. 53 (Igor Zhukov) pt. 1

This is Igor Zhukov's Melodiya recording of that sonata. This work was one of Scriabin's greatest compositional achievements. The piece is basically a summoning of mystical forces that will follow Scriabin in his later works.

The manuscript was kept in Montreal by Alfred La Liberté & was returned to the Scriabin Museum in 1972. This was recorded in 1972 for Melodiya. The piano used on the recording is a Bechstein.

For part 2 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsD7N_VvuEM

Category:

Music

Tags:

• zhukov
• scriabin
• sonata

[iedsri]

Thanks very much for making this recording available! I greatly appreciate it. Zhukov's interpretation is strikingly different from other better known versions. He seems to emphasize clarity of structure over hectic, "ecstatic" energy. Zhukov's performance reminds me of descriptions of Rachmaninoff's interpretations of Scriabin (alas! never recorded), which were said to have been similarly classical, even analytical. This is not a weakness, but a legitimate alternative, I think. Thanks again!

[weikko79]

I have to admit I don't like Zhukov's recording too much, but your comparison to Rachmaninoff's performance was interesting. Rachmaninoff did record one prelude by Scriabin, btw; it's available on YouTube. It's said to be one of Rach's worst recordings. And I believe there's a recording of etude op. 8 no. 12 circulating here that is also said to be Rachmaninoff's.

[pkarkivist]

On what basis you don't like his recordings ??

I think it's the most comprehensible readings ever made.

[weikko79]

It's precisely the comprehensibilty that I don't like; I feel that he's simplifying Scriabin, playing "Scriabin for dummies", as it were. Also, I think that his playing lacks poetry.

[pkarkivist]

I respect your opinion. I just want to add that if you check the scores & listen to those versions, you will (or not...) see that it's pretty close to what Scriabin wanted, about all the detailed indications. The example that comes in mind would be the meno vivo section which sounds like melted forms & colors, more than mere right notes. You see 'Music for Dummies', i see transcendance.

[pkarkivist]

It seems to me that Rachmaninoff & Scriabin had 2 different ways of playing. About the 5th sonata, Scriabin's notes soared & Rach's ones would lay down on the ground. This interpretation would be more linear than other known versions, but it doesn't suggest Rachmaninov's playing style in my knowledge.

This comes very close to Scriabin's musical intentions, that's why it sounds so different : idiosyncratic composer idiosyncratic playing, that's how i see it.

[iedsri]

I greatly appreciate your comments.

I had (obviously) forgotten about R's 1929 Scriabin prelude. Listening to it again, I can't agree at all with the truism re Rachmaninoff's interpretation of Scriabin, at least as we hear it in this solitary recorded performance: it sounds to me hauntingly beautiful and authoritative. As for the D-sharp minor Op. 8 recording on YouTube -- I think it is spurious beyond any doubt.

Very best wishes.