Scriabin: Vers la flamme

Track Listings

1. Prelude in B Major, Op. 11, No. 11

2. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 16, No. 2

3. Fragilite, Op. 51, No. 1

4. Etude in F-sharp Major, Op. 42, No. 3

5. Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 1

6. Feuillet d'album, Op. 45, No. 1

7. Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 15

8. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 12

9. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 22, No. 1

10. Poeme, Op. 32, No. 1

11. Sonata No. 4, Op.30

12. Prelude in A Major, Op. 15, No. 1

13. Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 10

14. Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 42, No. 5

15. Prelude, Op. 74, No. 2

16. Guirlandes, Op. 73, No. 1

17. Prelude, Op. 74, No. 3

18. Feuillet d'album, Op. 58, No. 1

19. Poeme, Op. 59, No. 1

20. Prelude in B Major, Op. 16, No. 1

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Exciting American pianist and radio personality Christopher O'Riley is the perfect interpreter for this dark, brooding music. His virtuosity is perfectly captured with the new Sony DSD system, which has the highest digital sampling rate in the world. . Initial reaction to this disc has been unprecedented.

Tracks:

Sonata In E Major, K 531 (L430): Allegro
Sonata In A Major, K322 (L483): Allegro
Sonata In G Major K455 (L209): Allegro
Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique': I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique': II. Adagio cantabile
Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique': III. Rondo. Allegro
Impromptu In G-flat Major, Op. 90 (D899) No. 3: Andante
Etude in C minor, Op. 10 No. 12: Allegro con fuoco
Etude In C-sharp Minor, Op. 25 No. 7: Lento
Scherzo No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 20: Presto con fuoco
3 Preludes - From Book II: IV. Les fees sont d'exquises danseuses. Rapide et leger
3 Preludes - From Book II: V. Bruyeres. Calme
3 Preludes - From Book II: VI. General Lavine - eccentric.
Poeme In F-sharp Major, Op. 32 No. 1: Andante cantabile
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: Andante
Etude In D-Sharp Minor, Op. 8 No. 12: Patetico

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.2 In B- Flat, Op.35: I. Grave- Doppio movimento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B- Flat, Op.35: II. Scherzo
Piano Sonata No.2 In B- Flat, Op.35: III. Marche funebre. Lento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B- Flat, Op.35: IV. Finale. Presto
Etude-Tableau In C, Op.33 No.2: Allegro
Etude-Tableau In C, Op.33 No.2: Appassionato
Arabeske In C, Op.18: Leicht und zart
Kinderszenen, Op.15 - Scenes From Childhood: 1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 2. Kuriose Geschichte
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 3. Hansche-Mann
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 4. Bittendes Kind
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 5. Gluckes genug
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 6. Wichtige Begbenheit
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 7. Traumerei
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 8. Am Kamin
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 10. Fast zu ernst
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 11. Furchtenmachen
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 12. Kind im Einschlummern
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: 13. Der Dichter spricht
Toccata In C, Op.7: Allegro
Hungarian Rhapsody No.19 In D Minor: Lento patetico (Lassan)- Vivace (Friska)

Tracks:

Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante moderato
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegretto
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante e cantabile
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante e cantabile
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro
Keyboard Sonatas: Andante moderato
Keyboard Sonatas: Vivo
Keyboard Sonatas: Allegro

Tracks:

Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C, BWV 564: I. Preludio, quasi improvvisando. Tempo moderato
Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C, BWV 564: II. Intermezzo. Adagio
Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C, BWV 564: III. Fuga. Moderamente sherzando, un poco umoristico
Fantasie In C, Op.17: I. Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschalflich vorzutragen
Fantasie In C, Op.17: II. Massig. Durchaus energisch
Fantasie In C, Op.17: III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten
Piano Sonata No.9, Op.68 'Black Mass': Moderato quasi andante-Molto meno vivo-Allegro-Piu vivo-Allegro...
Poeme In F-Sharp Major, Op.32 No.1: Andante cantibile

Tracks:

Mazurka In C-sharp Minor, Op. 30. No. 4: Allegretto
Etude In F major, Op. 10 No. 8: Allegro
Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23: Largo - Moderato - Meno mosso - Presto con fuoco
Serenade For The Doll. Allegro ma non troppo
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: Andante
Etude In A-Flat Major, Op. 72 No. 11: Presto e con leggierezza
Traumerei
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K.331: I. Tema.Andante grazioso e variazioni
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: II. Menuetto - Trio
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: III. Rondo alla Turca
Polonaise-Fantaisie In A-Flat Major, Op. 61: Allegro maestoso

Tracks:

Mazurka In B minor, Op. 33 No. 4: Mesto
Nocturne In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1: Andante
Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 70: Moderato - Allegro - Puissant, radieux - Allegro - Piu vivo - Presto - Moderato
Piano Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI: 23: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI: 23: II. Adagio
Piano Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI: 23: III. Finale
Blumenstuck In D-Flat Major, Op. 19: Leise bewegt
L'ISLE JOYEUSE: Quasi una cadenza - Tempo.
Vallee d'Obermann: Lento assai - Piu lento - Un poco piu di moto ma sempre lento - Presto - Lento

Tracks:

Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23: Largo - Moderato - Meno mosso - Presto con fuoco
Nocturne In F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1: Andante
Polonaise In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 44: Tempo di polacca - Doppio movimento, tempo di Mazurka - Tempo I
Sonata In E major, K 380 (L23): Andante commodo
Sonata In G major, K 55 (L335): Allegro
Arabeske In C Major, Op. 18: Leicht und zart
Etude In D-Sharp Minor, Op. 8 No. 12: Patetico
Traumerei
Variations On A Theme From Bizet's Opera 'Carmen'

Tracks:

Sonata In E-Flat Major, Op. 12 No. 2: III. Rondo
Adagio sostenuto In F Major
Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op. 25 No. 3: II. Rondo
Sonata In A Major, Op. 50 No. 1: II. Adagio
Corale Prelude 'Lch ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ'
Sonata In F-Sharp Major, K 319 (L35): Allegro
Sonata In G Major, K 260 (L124): Allegro
Sonata In C Major, HOB. XVI: 48: I. Andante con espressione
Sonata In C major, Hob. XVI:48: II. Rondo
Sonata No. 28 In A Major, Op. 101: I. Allegretto ma non troppo
Sonata No. 28 In A Major, Op. 101: II. Vivace alla Marcia
Sonata No. 28 In A Major, Op. 101: III. Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto - Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto
II. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2'Moonlight': III. Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major, Op. 53 , 'Waldstein-Sonata': I. Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major, Op. 53 , 'Waldstein-Sonata': II. Introduzione. Adagio molto - attacca
Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major, Op. 53 , 'Waldstein-Sonata': III. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': I. Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': II. Andante con moto -attacca
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata': III. Allegro, ma non troppo - Presto

Tracks:

Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 No. 4: Lento, ma non troppo
Etude in G-flat major, Op. 10 No. 5: Vivace
Introduction & Rondo In E-Flat Major, Op. 16: Introduzione. Andante - Rondo. Allegro vivace
Waltz in A minor, Op. 34 No. 2: Lento
Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53: Maestoso
Mazurka in F-sharp minor, Op. 59 No. 3: Vivace
Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 50 No. 3: Moderato
Mazurka in D-flat major, Op. 30 No. 3: Allegro non troppo
Mazurka in E minor, Op. 41 No. 2: Andantino
Mazurka in D major, Op. 33 No. 2: Vivace
Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 10 No. 4: Presto
Etude in E major, Op. 10 No. 3: Lento, ma non troppo
Etude in C minor, Op. 10 No. 12: Allegro con fuoco
Prelidu In B Minor, Op. 28 No. 6: Lento assai

Tracks:

Posonaise in A major, Op. 40 No. 1: Allegro con brio
Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28 No. 15: Sostenuto
Etude in E-flat minor, Op. 10 No. 6: Andante
Etude No. 2 in A-flat major from 'Trois Nouvelles Etudes': Allegretto
Mazurka In F Minor, Op. 7 No. 3
Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2: Tempo giusto
Variations On A Theme By Clara Wieck From Sonata No. 3 In F Minor,Op. 14: Andantino
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: I. Ausserst bewegt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: II.Sehr innig
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: III. Sehr aufgeregt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: IV. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: V. Sehr lebhaft
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VI. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VII. Sehr rasch
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VIII. Schnell und spielend

Tracks:

Impromptu In A-Flat Major Op. 90 (D899) No. 4: Allegretto
Impromptu In F Minor Op. 142 (D935) No. 1: Allegro moderato
Impromptu In A-Flat Major Op. 142 (935) No. 2: Allegretto
Impromptu In E-Flat Major Op. 90 (D899) No. 2: Allegro
Consolation In E Major S. 172 (R.12) No. 2
Pour les arpeges composes: Dolce e lusingando
La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune: Lent
Etude In A Minor Op. 104b No. 3: Allegro vivace
Scherzo & March S. 177 (R.20)

Tracks:

Feuillet d'album In E-Flat Major Op. 45 No. 1: Andante piacevole
Etude In F-Sharp Minor Op. 8 No. 2: A capriccio, con forza
Etude In B-Flat Minor Op. 8 No. 11: Andante cantabile
Etude In D-Flat Major Op. 8 No. 10: Allegro
Etude In A-Flat Major Op. 8 No. 8: Lento (Tempo rubato)
Etude In F-Sharp Major Op. 42 No 3: Prestissimo
Etude In F-Sharp Major Op. 42 No. 4: Andante
Etude In C-Sharp Minor Op. 42 No. 5: Affannato
Etude Op. 65 No. 3: Molto vivace
No. 1: Allegretto
2 Poemes Op. 69: No. 2: Allegretto
Vers la flamme Op. 72: Allegro moderato
Feuillet d'album Op. 58
Fairy Tale In A Major Op. 51 No. 3
Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor Op. 36: I. Allegro agitato
Sonata No. 2 In B-flat, Minor, Op. 36: II. Non allegro
Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 36: III. Allegro molto
Prelude In G-Sharp Minor Op. 32 No. 12: Allegro
Moment musical In B Minor Op. 16 No. 3: Andante cantabile
Etude-Tableau In E-Flat Minor Op. 33 No. 5: Non allegro - Presto
Etude-Tableau In C Major Op. 33 No. 2: Allegro
Etude-Tableau In D Major Op. 39 No. 9: Allegro moderato (Tempo di Marcia)

Amazon.com

It may surprise you to learn that, despite his untouchable reputation with the public, Vladimir Horowitz enjoyed a certain dubious reputation with the critics. For many, he was the epitome of the witless virtuoso, all technique and vulgar display, and no brains. There was some truth in this to the extent that he really could be variable on record, but by general consensus his Masterworks recordings show him at his absolute best. Aside from his famous Carnegie Hall concerts from 1965, you get stunning performances of music by Schumann, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, and above all, Scarlatti--the composer that Horowitz, more than anyone, put back on the map for pianists the world over. A great set. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Horowitz: good. Amazon: good. Sony Classical: BAD........2004-05-24

I bought this set in December, and because I have so many classical CD's (more than 300), it took me 5 months to realize that the set contained TWO volume 8's and NO volume 9's. Worried that it might be too late, I e-mailed Amazon. Their first reply was that the replacement was already on its way (with return shipping paid for as well). Wow, that was a relief!

When I got the new set, I decided to study it closely and make sure that everything was good. It turns out that several of the discs (in both sets) had holes through the aluminum reflective layer -- which seemed to be because it was too thin to begin with. One disc was cracked, and another looked like the aluminum was "rotting out" on the edge. You would think that for $230, Sony Classical would put more quality into their discs. So what good is "Super Bit Mapping" and "High Definition Remastering" if the discs are so cheap that the player will misread the data? And I don't have much confidence that the discs will last many years, either.

Fortunately I got to pick the best discs from the 2 sets, so I won't need to replace this one for another. But I certainly lost respect for Sony Classical.

And kudos to you Amazon; you're really looking out for your customers!

ARE YOU CRAZY RICH OR CRAZY STUPID?.......2002-08-25

Why would any one in the right mind plunk down [money] for 13 CDS by the same pianist? Is it so you can brag about owning 11 years' worth of the same old thing? Or did you get it as a gift designed to impress but not really to listened to? Now you could probably get [money] for it whether you used it or not. Columbia Masterworks should have brought along new and younger talent. For my bet I can't think of many American pianists who are currently recording. Do we have to recycle Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Scriabin, and others over and over? This is the Twenty-first Century. We should at least be thinking of Twentieth Century piano works. I can get 10 CDs by 10 pianists currently recording if I look to Europe.

merely spectacular!.......2001-03-10

I've only had this set about a week and have already indulged three complete listenings; it's a gold mine! - the power of preaching is persuasive in the Temple of Horowitz! I'm taken aback by the unity and continuity of sonics, an excellent and remarkable display of high engineering art. Everything important is here (almost! I wish some of the Scriabin Preludes had been included). There are sketches of incomparable pianism and supreme intelligence in these discs: Liszt's 'Vallee d'Obermann', and the Consolations; Debussy's 'L'isle joyeux' - so 'russian playing french'! - Scriabin's 'Vers le flamme' and the Black Mass sonata - one simply can't climb out of the volcano, it's terrifying and beautiful! - and the Scarlatti and Chopin. Only Gilels approaches Horowitz's indigenous understanding of Chopin. In the course of thirteen discs the glory can start to crash in around you, but at the last moment of endurance along comes 'Serenade of the Doll', or one of the Consolations. The Bach-Busoni is cerebral and fine. Horowitz gets rapped for the wrong romanticism - it's the romanticism of artistic intelligence that his art claims! I love that famous C clunker at the beginning of the Bach-Busoni in the Return to Carnegie Hall recital; more than that, I appreciate how Horowitz played his public pride in it, no retouches, etc. Shrewd, and very real, I think. He was a pianist of enormous humility on the inside, so completely knowing of his gifts - one of the reason his playing was something special. He possessed the often disregarded ability to stand completely outside his playing and admire it as one might a beautiful woman, with complete humility. It affords us the privilege of reaping joy after joy of a remarkable art the likes of which will surely stand true for a long time. 200 bucks is a lot of money, I probably would have thought it too much for the convenience of a collection; I'm glad someone else didn't feel that way, and gave me the set! - now I find it curiously too clever a package to be considered merely a consolidation of recordings into a 'set' - there is something indefinably congruent about these recordings. They fit together with harmonious intent, and shine and shadow the land with a marvelous music. Highest recommendation without reservation.

I have never regretted buying this..........2000-08-22

Considering that this set is devoted to a single instrument played by one artist in a 12-year period, the depth is mind-blowing. If variety is the spice of life, than this set is a very warming set indeed.

For the most part, Horowitz communicates a deep respect for the specific style of each composer: his Scarlatti is done articulately and without any smear with the pedal. His Liszt is demonic. His Rachmaninov is dazzling, with all of the "superfluous" notes (!) and Russian virtuosity in tact. Horowitz's Schumann is sensitive, passionate and Romantic.

And then there are his interpretations of Chopin. To me, Vladimir Horowitz is one of Chopin's best ambassadors. In particular, I draw attention to the Polonaise-Fantaisie in Vol. 3 and the mazurkas and etudes of Vol. 7.

For a good summary of this collection, listen to Vol. 4, "The Legendary 1968 TV Concert." Applause is omitted between selections, and the repertoire is tailored to Horowitz's pianistic gifts.

The first disc of Vol. 3 (Including the Bach-Busoni Toccata and the Schumann Fantasy) is not top-notch piano-playing... It's a little sloppy and inaccurate. I'm sure there are other minor slips elsewhere in this collection, but here they are most obviously seen.

Regardless, this collection is a MUST for Horowitz fans. Save up your money little by little and go and buy it. It is truly the most rewarding purchase of classical music I have ever made.

The greatest 20th Cent. pianist at his best!.......2000-04-15

If you were to take a set of piano music from only one performer to a desert island, this would be the set. Vladimir Horowitz was a pianist of incredible, almost unique, technical prowess capable of creating wonderful piano textures and tone colorings, and possessing his own dark, distinctive sound on a wonderful Steinway he had transported to each of his concerts or studio recording sessions. Of almost limitless ability, he suffered criticism from music critics because he severely limited his performing repertoire and stayed away from the concert stage for several prolonged periods because of his terrible insecurity and stagefright. He was especially criticized in his early years for bravura performances which were brilliant, but loud and not always tasteful. He was known for giving his enthralled audiences what they wanted, but it should be remembered that he championed Scarlatti and almost single-handedly brought him back into the performing world from near-oblivion, and it was Horowitz who premiered several important works by twentieth century composers such as Barber and Khatchaturian. He kept the works of the mysterious and exotic Alexander Scriabin from disappearing from piano benches in the conservatories, and he created some of the most imaginative and thrilling encore transcriptions ever heard in the concert hall. In later years, his repertoire expanded and he played some wonderful Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, much of which is featured in this set. The highlight of this disc collection from the early 60's through about 1973 is the historic return concert at Carnegie Hall in 1965. After a self-imposed exile from public performing for 12 years, he made this famous recital which is one of the most memorable in the history of recorded piano performance. Although he made several nerve-induced mistakes in the opening Bach piece, he settled down quickly and delivered a thrilling performance, highlighted, for me, at least, by the Chopin Ballade in G minor, which took away my breath and featured one of the most dazzling climaxes I have ever heard on a piano. His incredible performance possessed a youthful vitality which belied his 62 years. Throughout the other discs in this set one hears Horowitz at his best: still technically awesome yet more musically mature and capable of producing little miracles from pieces well-known, and less-known. No longer pandering to the expectations of the audience, he gave as his encore at the Carnegie Hall return concert, a precious, child-like Traumerei from Kinderszenen. The Schumann featured on these discs includes some of the most beautiful offerings available anywhere of this composer, including a wonderful Fantasy in C and perhaps the best performance ever on record of Kreisleriana. The Schubert impromptus are little miracles, and the Debussy that's thrown in makes us fantasize about the other French music he could have given us! His wonderful Chopin reminds us there are other views besides Rubinstein's to this most-important-of-all piano literature, and his Rachmaninoff is glorious. Performing into his eighties, he was a wonder of music and the 13 discs offered here give a personal record of a dazzling career from his very best years. It might be pointed out that several pieces are offered more than once in the set as they were recorded in several concerts and studio sessions and it is interesting to hear the differences in his performances. One might wish that his piano oeuvre had included more composers and a wider range of pieces, but this collection certainly highlights the work he was best known for, including as it does the various Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Schumann, Scarlatti, Scriabin, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Clementi, and Beethoven gems he was noted for throughout his long career. Anyone loving the piano, or just beautiful music must hear these discs!

Average customer rating:

One of his best
Brilliant but lots of eccentricities
Horowitz at his most masterful and tasteful
Still Unequaled
A monumental

Late Russian Romantics
Alexander Nikolayevich Skryabin , Nikolay Medtner , Sergey Rachmaninov , Vladimir Horowitz , and Alexander Scriabin
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Vladimir Horowitz, Complete Masterworks Recordings 1962-1973, Vol. I: The Studio Recordings 1962-63

ASIN: B00000290I
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Alexander Scriabin: Feuillet d'album in E-flat major, Op. 45 No.1, Andante piacevole
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 2
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in B-flat minor, Op.8 No. 11
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in D-flat major, Op. 8 No. 8
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No.3
Alexander Scriabin: etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No. 3
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No.4
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 42 No. 5
Alexander Scriabin: Etude, Op.65 No.3
Alexander Scriabin: 2 Poemes, Op. 69, No. 1 - Allegretto
Alexander Scriabin: 2 Poemes, Op. 69, No. 2 - Allegretto
Alexander Scriabin: Vers la flamme (poeme), Op. 72
Alexander Scriabin: Feuillet d'album, Op.58
Nicolai Medtner: Fairy Tale in A major, Op. 51 No.3
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Prelude in G-sharp minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Moment musical in B minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Etude- Tableau in E- flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: etude- Tableau in E-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Etude- Tableau in D major

Amazon.com essential recording

Russian composers brought playing from Horowitz that was invariably involved and riveting. He was personally close to Rachmaninoff and commands the sprawling B-flat Minor Sonata as few others have done. It's a conflation of the composer's 1914 original and Horowitz's 1931 alterations. Elsewhere on the disc, the Medtner Fairy Tale is a delightful romp, and Scriabin's often impenetrable mysticism is set forth with appropriately Russian brooding. Here, and in the Rachmaninoff études-tableaux, Horowitz's delicacy and power argue convincingly for music that lies close to his heart. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

One of his best.......2005-07-29

Former Horowitz student Byron Janis puts it best in the liner notes: the '60s saw the legendary pianist in inimitable form. The driven quality of his '40s recordings had been replaced with an irresistable simplicity of expression (just compare his two Chopin sonatas or Op. 42 No. 5 on this disc, for example). Horowitz's well-known connection to Rachmaninov has been frequently cited, yet it is not the rugged second sonata (recorded live, no less) on this album, but the Scriabin and Medtner that truly shine. Among recent accounts of selected etudes, Lang Lang may have youth on his side, but Horowitz's love for these works is all but palpable and remarkably wistful. A treasure.

Brilliant but lots of eccentricities.......2004-05-12

I really wanted to rate this a 4.5 but the absolute brilliance of the Scriabin etudes forced me to round upward rather than down. The Etude Op 65, No 3, is a thing of incredible beauty in the master's hands. Something unusual occurred as Horowitz evolved as an artist: His interpretations of individual works did not become static. To be sure, the size of his repertorie shrunk dramatically but those that remained he performed with a panache, newness and vibrancy that continually startle yet satisfy.

This is nowhere more present than on this CD in which he gives his beloved Scriabin yet new meanings and interpretations with all the fire, passion, detail and finesse one can muster. The clarity of the notes is secondary to the overall architecture of the small pieces. As Horowitz aged the length of his performed pieces shrunk so that he achieved an almost crystaline clarity in the few short ones he did play.

Ever the consumate artist, one really wonders what the guiding force of his interpretations was. Whether it is the lighting quick runs or the thundering chords or his almost unique ability to highlight all the inner voices of a piece, there was something almost undefinable about his approach to the piano.

The Rachmaninoff Second was extremely idiosyncratic with none of the "waves of sound" one usually associates with the composer. It is almost as if he transformed the titanic work into a collection of brilliant miniatures, each startling in its own way but by necessity only vaguely related to the others. The best rendition of the fabulous second has to be Van Cliburn's performance in Moscow where the stunning aspect (apart from the fact that he played the original setting) was the overall architecture and organiaation, the totality of the three movements and their cyclic thematic resonance. He (Van Cliburn) also brought a stately grandeur to the sonata that is sorely lacking in this rendition.

Oddly enough, the same problem holds true for the selections of Etude-Tableaux. Again we are in miniature land with brilliance and ardor but the structure again seems to have gotten lost. It is a case of not being able to see the forest for all the stunning trees. The Medtner was a fine choice and rendered with a poetic touch and much attention to detail.

Horowitz at his most masterful and tasteful.......2003-07-15

This is a must-have CD for anyone who loves the great writers of Russian romantic piano pieces. Horowitz's thunderous rendition of Rachmaninoff's incredible and difficult B-flat Sonata, done at the peak of his powers in the 1960s, is in my opinion virtually without peer in the realm of virtuoso pianism. It follows and contrasts nicely with the delicate and beautiful Medtner "Fairy Tale", a song which I had never even heard of prior to buying this CD; now it's one of my favorites as well. And there are several other nicely done selections , demonstrating the Horowitz bell-like "singing tone" that was so uniquely his own. All in all, this is a great CD that I listen to often!

Still Unequaled.......2003-06-29

Volume Nine of Sony's Horowitz reissue contains music by the pianist's fellow countrymen Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Mednter which show the virtuoso at the zenith of his powers.

Horowitz, who at the age of eleven met the Scriabin, once described the composer's music as "super-sensuous, super-mysterious, super-romantic. It's all a little bit overboard." The pianist was ideally suited by temperament to play that Scriabin's highly charged, nervous music. Horowitz once described Scriabin's music as "super-sensuous, super-mysterious, super-romantic. It's all a little bit overboard." There have been numerous pianists who have equaled Horowitz's Scriabin technically (most notably Marc-Andre Hamelin) but none have captured the breathless, nervous quality of this music as has Horowitz.

The Scriabin selections were recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in 1972. Part of the success of Horowitz's Scriabin is his clarity, both musical and technical. The pianist adopts an almost structural approach to these works, which runs against the tendency by some others to slather them in Romantic excess. Horowitz uses less sustaining pedal than is customary in these works (as in the stunning Etude in Thirds, Op. 8, No. 10), although one would never think of calling Horowitz's Scriabin "dry." In the later more mystical works, he uses slightly more pedal, but never drowns the work in sustaining syrup as all too many pianists do. Even in Scriabin's most twisted melodic and pianistic contortions, clarity and balance are maintained. Horowitz also manages to produce a stunning fortissimo (as in Vers la Flamme) without hammering the piano to death or throwing the lines out of balance.

The Medtner Fairy Tale heard here was originally released on a Goodyear Tire promotional record in Christmas of 1969, but never attained widespread release until 1992. Horowitz's boisterous, flirtatious performance gets to the heart of the matter. Although the pianist gave all-Medtner recitals before leaving Russia in 1925, and occasionally programmed Medtner's works in the 1930s and early 1940s, his advocacy of the composer doesn't seemed to have gained any headway in his lifetime. Sadly, this is the only Horowitz Medtner recording to have been released.

Horowitz idolized Rachmaninoff, and the elder pianist/composer admired Horowitz in a kind of uncle/nephew way. The two had a close friendship from 1928 until the composer's death in 1943, and it was Rachmaninoff who sought out psychological help for Horowitz after the pianist's nervous breakdown in 1936. Rachmaninoff often had a complicated relationship with his own compositions. Such was the case with the Second Sonata which was composed in 1913, and severely revised in 1931, when the composer was placing greater value in brevity. Horowitz had played the Second Sonata (in the original version) at his conservatory graduation recital in 1920, and felt that the 1931 revision was too drastically cut. Rachmaninoff, who was never fully satisfied with either version of the piece, agreed and left it to Horowitz to put together a "compromise" version for his own performances. Unfortunately, we have no recording of his 1940 performances (the head of RCA, Charles O'Connell, no fan of either Horowitz or Rachmaninoff, scotched plans for the pianists to record the composer's Second Suite for two pianos and the two piano version of the Symphonic Dances) and therefore we have no record of the revisions Rachmaninoff approved. However, Horowitz did resurrect the work in 1968, the 25th anniversary of Rachmaninoff's death. This performance, recorded that December in Carnegie Hall, is one of the most electrifying piano recordings ever made. Horowitz, at the very top of his form, brings a lithe, pantherlike quality to this performance. He knows how to balance Rachmaninoff's thick piano writing to recreate the composer's swirling anguish, and for all the lushness of Horowitz's conception, the pianist's tone remains limber, spare, prizing clarity over histrionics. Even when all Hell breaks loose, the pianist remains solidly in control. Thirty-five years after it was recorded, it remains the definitive version Rachmaninoff's Second Sonata, and one can sense the approving spirit of the composer in the tumultuous audience response.

The shorter pieces are equally convincing. The Prelude recalls the jingling bells of a Russian Troika, while the Moment Musicaux is given an inwardly brooding performance. The Etudes-Tableaux are less melodic, more economical in texture, with an almost barbaric rhythmic thrust. Horowitz concentrates on the epic, picturesque aspects of these works, and the controlled fury of the D Major has to be heard to be believed.

This reissue is a must for all lovers of great piano music. The sound is some of the best Horowitz received in the pre-digital era, and particularly fine in the live selections.

A monumental.......2003-03-12

I heard one of classicial music fan says that Horowitz's playings of any Rachmaninoff works are incomparable. This is not a too bold statement. Listen to these Rach's Etude Tableaux, compare them to other recordings and you'll know what I mean. I don't think anyone can play them better than Horowitz. Not even Rachmaninoff himself.

Sonata 2 is also another reference point on this extremely difficult piece though I would say the best recording of the piece is Horowitz's 1980 recording ( regardless what piece's version we are referring to ). That recording is not as moving as this one but is much more powerful. Yet both of them which are totally different has confirmed how masterful Horowitz is on Rach's works.

We probably can't conclude the above statement to all the Scriabin works but not for these Etudes. Simple they are unrivaled.

Unfortunately the Great Rach's Etude Tableaux Op.39 No. 5 and Scriabin Etude Op. 8 No, 12 weren't included in this album but on another CD from the same SONY's Horowitz complete recording series. No doubt they are also the best recording of the pieces.

Scriabin: Complete Sonatas
Average customer rating:

Lean and mean Scriabin ... you know you like it!

Save your weekly three BigMac's and buy this CD set instead! top recommendation. cheap, cheap, cheap!!! :D

Bleah

Sloppy, bombastic, and with poor sound quality

Idiomatic and expressive Scriabin

Scriabin: Complete Sonatas
Michael Ponti , and Scriabin
Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Saint-Saëns: Complete Works for Piano

Horowitz Plays Scriabin

Fauré: Piano Music complete [Box Set]

ASIN: B00007J4SK
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Tracks:

Sonata-Fantasy In G-Sharp Minor Op. Posth.
Allegro Appassionato
Andante
Presto
Allegro Con Fuocoso
Presto
Funebre
Andante
Presto
Drammatico
Allegretto
Andante
Presto Con Fuoco
Alegro. Impetuoso. Con Stravaganza - Languido - Presto Con Allegrez

Tracks:

Andante
Prestissimo Volando
Modere
Allegro
No. 1: Allegro Fantastico
No. 2: Allegretto
No. 3: Molto Vivace
Lento - Allegro Agitato
Moderato Quasi Andante
Moderato - Allegro
Poeme No. 1
Poeme No. 2
Vers La Flamme Op.72
No. 1: Guirlandes
No. 2: Flammes Sombres
No. 1: Douloureux Dechirant
No. 2: Tres Lent 'Contemplatif'
No. 3: Allegro Drammatico
No. 4: Lent, Vague, Indecis
No. 5: Fier Belliqueux

Customer Reviews:

Lean and mean Scriabin ... you know you like it!.......2007-05-06

The wide divergence of review comments about this CD reflects the difference of opinion and preference for how Scriabin's music should be played. As a member of the Scriabin Society of America, I've personally seen and heard many different interpretations of many of these sonatas ... along with strong opinions voiced both pro and con.

In the end, it all comes down to whether you like your Scriabin lean and taut ... or prefer him broad and expansive. I come down on the "lean" side, which is why I enjoy these performances. Michael Ponti misses some notes here and there, but when your Scriabin is almost going off the edge, that's what happens. Scriabin should never sound "pretty" -- especially in the Sonatas. Yes, there are moments of sheer exquisiteness to savor, but ultimately this is music that stretches the bounds of tonality and rattles the structural cage, trying to break free.

Once you've heard Ponti's take on Sonatas 4 and 5 -- or the Black and White Mass Sonatas for that matter -- you'll never again be satisfied with a merely "correct" or "poised" reading. That's selling Scriabin WAY too short ... but it's what 80% of the other pianists do. Oh yeah, but they might get all the notes correct.

Save your weekly three BigMac's and buy this CD set instead! top recommendation. cheap, cheap, cheap!!! :D.......2006-08-08

this complete sonatas box cannot be directly compared with competing recordings, such as Ashkenazy or Hamelin, because..it has many more pieces and sonatas(!): 10 sonatas, 2(!) early sonatas in G-sharp minor, and in E-flat minor, 3 Etudes op.65, 2 Poemes op.71, Verslaflamme op.72, 2 Danses op.73, 5 Preludes op.74. What a shame that Hamelin did not include E-flat minor sonata on his expensive hyperion release, oh well. Although i own the Hamelin set yet, for years, i also bought this Ponti set. For two simple, clear, reasonable reasons: [1] the VoxBox costs only 5EUR's (+3EUR shipping) in Amazon's caimanzone, which is a ridiculously low price (I paid 35EUR's for Hamelin!), so i have nothing to lose! Here in Germany I get three BigMac@McDonald's for 8EUR's, which equals one dinner for me :P, so I better save on the saturated fats and acids and calories and get the Ponti VoxBox. [2] the VoxBox complements/supplements my other PontiPlaysScriabin-VoxBox which lacks those later preludes, etudes, poemes and danses, and I dont want to miss these little pieces. well, at least not for the sake of 8EUR's.
Ponti's playing is less crisp and impetuous than Hamelin's but who of you would ever dare to complain after having saved three big macs and gained such an attractive jewecase box? No, for 8EUR's i cannot and will not complain. This was definitely one of the best deals in my collector's career. Thanks to amazon, thanks to its caimanzone :)
Total times of the two discs are 79:08, 79:35.

Bleah.......2005-11-15

If I could have given this 0 stars I would have. Ponti shows us that it is possible to get a large proportion of the notes right and still make absolutely no sense of the music. The only way I can describe the 7th sonata is laughable. The opening bars alone make it obvious that the pianist has little knowledge of beautiful tone on the piano. I know there is a lack of recordings of the 7th sonata specifically, but any other recording is miles better. The best I have heard is Joseph Villa's.

Sloppy, bombastic, and with poor sound quality.......2005-06-11

I can't accept wrong notes unless the performance is live, even though his crazed performance of the youthful E flat minor sonata (with the wrong final movement, by the way) is interesting, although ultimately unsatisfying. There are two sets of the Scriabin sonatas to avoid. Ogdon's and Ponti's. Like Ponti, Ogdon seriously lacks polish and hits some wrong notes, too. His performances are coarse, harsh, and difficult to listen to at all. Of the two sets, I'd rather listen to Ponti's.

Here's a breakdown for my suggested recordings of the sonatas, based on those I've heard:

G#m posthumous: Hamelin.

Ebm posthumous: Glemser.

No. 1: Kocyan, then Ashkenazy, then Taub. Kocyan tells a story. Ashkenazy is passionate. Taub is darker.

No. 2: Kocyan, then Glemser or Sofronitsky, then Ashkenazy. Kocyan's fluidity takes it, but Sofronitsky is artistic. Glemser's first movement is beautiful.

No. 3: Laredo or Horowitz. Then Glemser or Taub. Then Ashkenazy or Sofronitsky.

No. 4: Taub or Sofronitsky. The latter has more artistry, the former a more coherent and appropriate tone.

No. 5: Horowitz or Taub. The former has electric genius, the latter has wonderful refinement. Hamelin's is excellent (definitely his best Scriabin performance). I've heard that Richter's is great, but I don't have it.

No. 6: Richter (genius but bad sound quality), then Taub. Hamelin's is athletic and precise, but there is little mystery.

No. 7: Glemser, then Laredo. The former brings out all the complexity with precision, the latter is sharp and clear. I have not heard Richter's.

No. 8: Ashkenazy. Then Szidon or Laredo. I've read that Sofronitsky's is good, but I don't have it.

No. 9: Sofronitsky, then Horowitz (all versions), then Glemser, then Szidon and Taub.

No. 10: Horowitz or Taub. Same contrast of styles between the pianists as the fifth sonata. Like the fifth, this is Taub's other brilliant performance.

Other pieces:

Fantasy in B minor: Glemser
Vers la flamme: Sofronitsky or Horowitz, then Laredo.
Piano concerto: Ugorski/Boulez, then Ashkenazy/Maazel. Both are excellent, but I give the edge to Ugorski.
Poem of Ecstasy: Maazel
Prometheus: Ashkenazy/Maazel

Idiomatic and expressive Scriabin.......2004-06-10

Mr. Ponti reached a high peak with these set of Scriabin Sonatas. It's very difficult to find out the set as a whole. In this sense we must recognize the huge effort for recording these works, are decissive if you want to know the intimate world of Alexander Scriabin a passionate and troubled musician.
The wide frequency of emotions covered in these Sonatas are showed by Ponti, with flowness , deep honesty an conviction.
Acquire this set if you really love Scriabin piano music.

Original Jacket Collection: Vladimir Horowitz

Average customer rating:

A great musician, not only a virtuoso
Ca$hing in on Nostalgia
Ca$hing in on Nostalgia

Original Jacket Collection: Vladimir Horowitz

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon
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ASIN: B00005T7RC
Release Date: 2001-12-04

Tracks:

Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35: I. Grave - Doppio Movimento
Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35: II. Scherzo
Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35: III. Marche Funebre. Lento
Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.35: IV. Finale. Presto
Etude-Tableau in C Major, Op.33, No.2: Allegro
Etude-Tableau in E flat Minor, Op.39, No.5: Appassionato
Arabeske in C Major, Op.18: Leicht Und Zart
Hungarian Rhapsody in D Minor, No.19: Lento Patetico (Lassan) - Vivace (Friska)

Tracks:

Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Von Fremden Landern Und Menschen
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Kuriose Geschichte
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Hasche-Mann
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Bittendes Kind
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Gluckes Genug
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Wichtige Begebenheit
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Traumerei
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Am Kamin
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Ritter Vom Steckenpferd
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Fast Zu Ernst
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Furchtenmachen
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Kind Im Einschlummern
Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood), Op.15: Der Dichter Spricht
Toccata in C Major, Op.7: Allegro
Sonata in E Major, K.531 (L 430): Allegro
Sonata in A Major, K.322 (L 483): Allegro
Sonata in G Major, K. 455 (L 209): Allegro
Impromptu in G flat Major, Op.90, No.3: Andante
Poeme in F sharp Major, Op.32, No.1: Andante Cantabile
Etude in C sharp Major, Op.2, No.1: Andante
Etude in D sharp Minor, Op.8, No.12: Patetico

Tracks:

Sonata No.8 in C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': I. Grave - Allegro Di Molto E Con Brio
Sonata No.8 in C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': II. Adagio Cantabile
Sonata No.8 in C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': III. Rondo. Allegro
3 Preludes from Book 2: Les Fees Sont D'exquises Danseuses
3 Preludes from Book 2: Bruyeres
3 Preludes from Book 2: General Lavine - Eccentric
Etude in c, Op.10, No.12 ('Revolutionary'): Allegro Con Fuoco
Etude in C sharp Minor, Op.25, No.7: Lento
Scherzo No.1 in B Minor, Op.20: Presto Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Sonata in D Major, K. 33 (L 424): Allegro
Sonata in A Minor, K. 54 (L 241): Allegro
Sonata in F Major, K. 525 (L 188): Allegro
Sonata in F Minor, K.466 (L 188): Andante Moderato
Sonata in G Major, K. 146 (L 349): Allegretto
Sonata in D Major, K. 96 (L 465): Allegro
Sonata in E Major, K. 162 (L 21): Andante
Sonata in E flat Major, K. 474 (L203): Allegro
Sonata in E Minor, K. 198 (L22): Allegro
Sonata in D Major, K. 491 (L 164): Allegro
Sonata in F Minor, K. 481 (L 187): Andante E Cantabile
Sonata in A Major, K. 39 (L 391): Allegro

Tracks:

Organ Toccata in C Major, BWV 564: I. Preludio, Quasi Improvvisando
Organ Toccata in C Major, BWV 564: II. Intermezzo: Adagio
Organ Toccata in C Major, BWV 564: III. Fuga. Moderamente Scherzando, Un Poco Umoristico
Fantasy in C Major, Op.17: I. Durchaus Phantastisch Und Leidenschaftlich Vorzutragen
Fantasy in C Major, Op.17: II. Massig. Durchaus Energisch
Fantasy in C Major, Op.17: III. Langsam Getragen. Durchweg Leise Zu Halten

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.9, Op.68 'Black Mass'
Poeme in F sharp Major, Op.32, No.1: Andante Cantabile
Mazurka in C sharp Minor, Op.30, No.4: Allegretto
Etude in F Major, Op.10, No.8: Allegro
Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Op.23: Largo - Moderato - Meno Mosso - Presto Con Fuoco
Children's Corner: No.3 Serenade For The Doll
Etude in C sharp Minor, Op.2, No.1: Andante
Etude in A flat Major, Op.72, No.11: Presto E Con Leggierezza
Kinderszenen, Op.15: No.7: Traumerei

Tracks:

Polonaise-Fantasie, Op.61
Mazurka in A Minor, Op.17, No.4: Lento, Ma Non Troppo
Etude ('Black Key') in G flat Major, Op.10, No.5: Vivace
Introduction & Rondo in E flat Major, Op.16: Introduzione. Andante - Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Waltz in A Minor, Op.34, No.2: Lento
Polonaise in A flat Major, Op.53: Maestoso

Tracks:

Sonata No.3 in F Minor, Op.14: Variations On A Theme By Clara Wieck: Andantino
Kreisleriana, Op.16: I. Ausserst Bewegt
Kreisleriana, Op.16: II. Sehr Innig
Kreisleriana, Op.16: III. Sehr Aufgeregt
Kreisleriana, Op.16: IV. Sehr Langsam
Kreisleriana, Op.16: V. Sehr Lebhaft
Kreisleriana, Op.16: VI. Sehr Langsam
Kreisleriana, Op.16: VII. Sehr Rasch
Kreisleriana, Op.16: VIII. Schnell Und Spielend

Tracks:

Etude: Andante Piacevole
Etude in f#, Op.8, No.2: A Capriccio Con Forza
Etude in B flat Minor, Op.8, No.11: Andante Cantabile
Etude in D flat Major, Op.8, No.10: Allegro
Etude in A flat Major, Op.8, No.8: Lento (Tempo Rubato)
Etude in F sharp Major, Op.42, No.3: Prestissimo
Etude in F sharp Major, Op.42, No.4: Andante
Etude in C sharp Minor, Op.42, No.5: Affannato
Piano Sonata No.10, Op.70: Moderato - Allegro - Puissant, Radieux - Allegro - Piu Vivo - Presto - Moderato
2 Poemes, Op.69: No.1: Allegretto
2 Poemes, Op.69: No.2: Allegretto
Vers La Flamme (Poeme), Op.72: Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.36: I. Allegro Agitato
Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.36: II. Non Allegro
Piano Sonata No.2 in B flat Minor, Op.36: III. Allegro Molto
Prelude in G sharp Minor, Op.32, No.12: Allegro
Moment Musical in B Minor, Op.16, No.3: Andante Cantabile
Etude-Tableau in E flat Minor, Op.33, No.5: Non Allegro - Presto
Etude-Tableau in C Major, Op.33, No.2: Allegro
Etude-Tableau in D Major, Op.39, No.9: Allegro Moderato (Tempo Di Marcia)

Customer Reviews:

A great musician, not only a virtuoso.......2005-10-24

Vladimir Horowitz is, perhaps, the last example of the true last romantic russian virtuoso. His execution is always interesting by a musical point of wiev. The composers are many and of varied historic periods, but the execution is always very appropriated in style and musical analisys. Specially the works by Scriabine and Rachmaninov have here an equilibrated treatment that shows the musical qualities over the technical power. An indispensable for all piano lovers and piano players.

Ca$hing in on Nostalgia.......2002-01-01

Despite having died over twelve years ago, Vladimir Horowitz remains a potent force in the ever-shrinking Classical music market. Since his death in 1989, Horowitz' complete recordings have been remastered and reissued, and a number of previously unreleased recordings have also surfaced.

The marketing gimmick behind the Original Jacket Collection is a simple one: ten CDs, with the music duplicating the original LP release, with the original liner notes and bearing the original LP covers (albeit in miniaturized form).

Horowitz was in his late prime during his Columbia (now Sony) years, 1962-1973. The performances in this box are rightfully legendary. Highlights include: loads of Chopin including the Sonata, Op. 35 (1962), a brooding Poloniase-Fantasie, Op. 61 (recorded live in 1966), an electrifying performance of the neglected Introduction & Rondo, Op. 16 (1971); Horowitz' own transcription of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 19; and the all Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Scriabin LPs. It is worth noting that most of these recordings were Grammy winners and have never been out of the catalogue since they were initially released.

That's part of the problem. Horowitz fans with sharp ears will detect that these are not new remasterings, they are straight transfers from Sony's 1993 Complete Masterworks Recordings reissue. In a number of cases here, such as in Schumann's Kreisleriana, alternate takes were used, which differ from the original LP issues. While the performances don't suffer from the alterations, should not Sony have done their homework and checked the CD remasterings against the original LPs?

Ca$hing in on Nostalgia.......2001-12-27

Vladimir Horowitz remains a potent force in the ever-shrinking Classical music market. Since his death in 1989, Horowitz' complete recordings have been remastered and reissued, and a number of previously unreleased recordings have also surfaced.

Horowitz was in his late prime during his Columbia (now Sony) years, 1962-1973. The performances in this box are rightfully legendary. Highlights include loads of Chopin including the Sonata, Op. 35 (1962), a brooding Poloniase-Fantasie, Op. 61 (recorded live in 1966), an electrifying performance of the neglected Introduction & Rondo, Op. 16 (1971); Horowitz' own transcription of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 19; and the all Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Scriabin LPs. It is worth noting that most of these recordings were Grammy winners and have never been out of the catalogue since they were initially released.

Tracks:

Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 6: Allegro con fuoco
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 6: Andante
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 6: Presto
Sonata No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 6: Fune
Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 2, No. 1
Sonata No.2 (Sonata-Fantasy) In G-Sharp Minor, Op. 19: Andante
Sonata No.2 (Sonata-Fantasy) In G-Sharp Minor, Op. 19: Presto
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 1 In D-Flat Major
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 2 In F-Sharp Minor
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 3 In F-Sharp Major
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 4 In F-Sharp Major
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 5 In C-Sharp Minor
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 6 In D-Flat Major
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 7 In F Minor
Eight Etudes, Op. 42: No. 8 In E-Flat Major
Sonata No. 3 In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 23: Drammatico
Sonata No. 3 In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 23: Allegretto
Sonata No. 3 In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 23: Andante
Sonata No. 3 In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 23: Presto con fuoco
Sonata No. 4 In F-Sharp Major, Op. 30: Andante
Sonata No. 4 In F-Sharp Major, Op. 30: Prestissimo volando

Tracks:

Sonata No. 5 In F-Sharp Major, Op. 53: Sonata No. 5 In F-Sharp Major, Op. 53: 'Poem Of Ecstasy'
Sonata No. 6, Op. 62.: Sonata No. 6, Op. 62. Modere: mysterieux, concentre
Desir, Op. 57, No. 1
Caresse dansee, Op. 57, No. 2
Sonata No. 7, Op. 64: Sonata No. 7, Op. 64. 'White Mass', Prophetique
Sonata No. 8, Op. 66: Sonata No. 8, Op. 66: Lento
Sonata No. 9, Op. 68: Sonata No. 9, Op. 68. 'Black Mass' Moderato quasi andante: legendaire
Sonata No. 10, Op. 70: Sonata No. 10, Op. 70. Moderato: tres doux et pur
Vers la flamme, Op. 72

Customer Reviews:

Way too much praise for a very average set of performances.......2007-05-16

This set is mostly valuable for being comprehensive as the performances are somewhat wan. Laredo also experiences technical difficulties here and there. Finally, the sound quality of the performance is below average. That said, I'm glad to own it because it includes some unusual pieces and brings all of these wonderful sonatas together.

Not to throw stones, but I really have to wonder whether any of the reviewers giving this set 5 stars are familiar with Scriabin and the many excellent performances of his piano works that have been made. This is a fallback CD set.

Solid performances, compressed sound.......2006-04-08

I have the following complete sets: Laredo, Taub, Ashkenazy, Hamelin, Mikhailov, Szidon, Ponti, and Ogdon. I have two discs of Glemser and Horowitz, and one disc of: Sofronitsky, Pletnev, Kocyan, Bogdonov, Florentino, Coombs, Trpceski, and Richter.

Here is my list of suggested performances of the sonatas, taken from those I've heard. They are ranked from left to right:

G#m posthumous: Hamelin.

Ebm posthumous: Glemser.

No. 1: Kocyan, then Ashkenazy, then Taub. Kocyan tells a story. Ashkenazy is passionate. Taub is darker.

No. 2: Kocyan, then Glemser or Sofronitsky, then Ashkenazy. Kocyan's fluidity takes it, but Sofronitsky is artistic. Glemser's first movement is beautiful.

No. 3: Laredo or Horowitz. Then Glemser or Taub. Then Ashkenazy or Sofronitsky.

No. 4: Taub or Sofronitsky. The latter has more artistry, the former a more coherent and appropriate tone.

No. 5: Horowitz or Taub. The former has electric genius, the latter has wonderful refinement. Hamelin's is excellent (definitely his best Scriabin performance). I've heard that Richter's is great, but I don't have it.

No. 6: Richter (genius but bad sound quality), then Taub. Hamelin's is athletic and precise, although not mysterious.

No. 7: Glemser, then Laredo. The former brings out all the complexity with precision, the latter is sharp and clear. I have not heard Richter's.

No. 8: Ashkenazy. Then Szidon or Laredo. I've read that Sofronitsky's is good, but I don't have it.

No. 9: Sofronitsky, then Horowitz (all versions), then Glemser, then Szidon and Taub.

No. 10: Horowitz or Taub. Same contrast of styles between the pianists as the fifth sonata. Like the fifth, this is Taub's other brilliant performance.

Other pieces:

Fantasy in B minor: Glemser
Vers la flamme: Sofronitsky or Horowitz, then Laredo.
Piano concerto: Ugorski/Boulez, then Ashkenazy/Maazel. Both are excellent, but I give the edge to Ugorski.
Poem of Ecstasy: Maazel
Prometheus: Ashkenazy/Maazel

Regrettably, the posthumous sonatas are not included and not every performance is outstanding, but it does offer a top-notch third sonata, a great seventh, and solid performances of the first, sixth, eighth, op. 42 etudes, and Vers La Flamme. The 5th sonata is not well-performed here. The 4th has a bouncy feel in the second movement, and the 9th begins with no mystery. The tight (not spacious) analog sound should be braved by Scriabin aficianados, but those new to his music should stick with Taub's complete set (also missing the posthumous sonatas, regrettably), at least at first.

Provocative, enlightening.......2006-01-05

I have recently discovered the music of Scriabin. Rather, shall I say re-discovered, as I have up until recently been only familiar with his orchestral music and not his works for piano. This is a splendid recording of some of the most interesting piano music ever written.

The first four sonatas are very much Romantic era music, with the 1st sonata being my favorite. The last six sonatas are extremely complex, yet moving and embody a great sense of mystery within them. It is clear to see how Scriabin was truly light years ahead of his time. These compositions beautifully illustrate the power of music to transfix the listener into experiencing nothing less than blissful paradise.

Masterful technique.......2003-03-04

Alexander Scriabin was one of the last of the great Russian Romantic school who became a leader of the modern vanguard. This recording traces that musical evolution brilliantly. Many have associated Laredo with the Baroque or Classical genre but with this CD she proves that there are apparently no areas in which she is not proficient.

The sounds produced here are nothing short of stupendous - from the loudest fortissimo to the quietest pppppp (that is a true marking). The technique is so completely masterful that one almost takes the devilish fingering, concorted chortds and fluttering dynamics for granted. The other outstanding feature of Scriabin's music is the continual "lift" as the music is in a constant state of key changes and transforming "rises".

This is an important CD in that it traces the development of an enormously talented yet ultimately irrational artist. One item of note is that his son, who was remarkably gifted, drowned as a young lad. Otherwise we might have had a father-son musical continuum, the maturation of which we can only surmise. Liked other commentators, I enjoyed the dark, stark cover.

To understand Scriabin one must understand the Sonatas and his reaction to them. One way to understand the Sonatas is by listening to this recording.

Romantic piano music masterfully performed.......2002-07-31

This amazing collection of Scriabin Piano works is deeply moving, challenging for the listener and brilliantly executed. Scriabin was a composer well ahead of his time in many ways, yet much of his early work is highly romantic and quite beautiful; However you can perceptably follow his development as his works become more modern in nature, and in places he foreshadows composers who would come later with dissonant and almost minimalistic passages.

I find Ms. Laredo's performances inspired and masterful. The works were recorded in 1970, far before the advent of digital reproduction, and occasionally the limitations of the equipment tell with sometimes too soft, sometimes too bright sound quality. I have been too fascinated and enthralled with the music and the performances to be seriously bothered by these minor annoyances.

Finally, I must say a brief word about the packaging, which is beautiful. The stark photograph of Scriabin against a fulignious black background is so tastefully done that I would love to purchase, frame and proudly display this artwork in my home.

Tracks:

The Poem Of Ecstacy, Op.54
2 Morceaux, Op.57: 1. Desir
2 Morceaux, Op.57: 2. Caresse Dansee
Feuillet D'album, Op.58
2 Morceaux, Op.59: 1. Peome
2 Morceaux, Op.59: 2. Prelude
2 Preludes, Op.67: 1. Andante
2 Preludes, Op.67: 2. Presto
Vers La Flamme: Poeme, Op.72
5 Preludes, Op.74: 1. Douloureux, Dechirant
5 Preludes, Op.74: 2. Tres Lent, Contemplatif
5 Preludes, Op.74: 3. Alllegro Drammatico
5 Preludes, Op.74: 4. Lent, Vague, Indecis
5 Preludes, Op.74: 5. Fier, Belliqueux
Etude, Op.8, No.12 In d-Sharp, Alternative Version
3 Morceaux, Op.45: 1. Feuillet D'album
3 Morceaux, Op.45: 2. Poeme Fantasque
3 Morceaux, Op.45: 3. Prelude
4 Preludes, Op.39: 1. Allegro
4 Preludes, Op.39: 2. Elevato
4 Preludes, Op.39: 3. Languido
4 Preludes, Op.39: 4.
4 Preludes, Op.37: 1. Mesto
4 Preludes, Op.37: 2. Maestoso, Fiero
4 Preludes, Op.37: 3. Andante
4 Preludes, Op.37: 4. Irato Impetuoso

Album Description

PPR number: PPR224519
Chitose Okashiro, Piano
Alexander Scriabin:The Poem of Ecstasy Op.54
The Poem of Ecstasy, Op. 54
2 Morceaux, Op. 57
Feuillet D'album, Op. 58
2 Morceaux, Op. 59
2 Preludes, Op. 67
Vers la flamme: Poème, Op. 72
5 Preludes, Op. 74
Etude, Op. 8, No. 12 in D-sharp Minor, alternate version
3 Morceaux, Op. 45
4 Preludes, Op. 39
4 Preludes, Op. 37

Tracks:

Son No.3 in f#, Op.23: Drammatico
Son No.3 in f#, Op.23: Allegretto
Son No.3 in f#, Op.23: Andante
Son No.3 in f#, Op.23: Presto Con Fuoco
Son No.10, Op.70: Moderato - Allegro
Son in e flat: (Allegro Appassionato)
Son in e flat: (Andantino)
Son in e flat: (Presto)
Poeme-Nocturne, Op.61
Vers La Flamme, Op.72

Customer Reviews:

Solid, but not superb like his first disc.......2006-04-08

Glemser's volume 1 is a must-buy disc, but this a tad weaker. Despite this, his performance of the youthful unpublished Eb minor sonata is the best of the four I've heard. The third sonata is played very well, eclipsed only by Ruth Laredo and Vladimir Horowitz. It is tied with Robert Taub and Vladimir Sofronitsky. The tenth is a bit bland here. For that piece, I suggest Robert Taub and Vladimir Horowitz. Vers la flamme is better with Sofronitsky and Horowitz. Glemser is an excellent Scriabin interpreter, but if you're only going to get one of his discs, stick with the first.

Unbelievable Music Making!.......2006-02-27

Glemser once again proves himself at the forefront of Scriabin interpreters. I've listened to many Scriabin recordings and this one is at the top. The Scriabin sonatas are some of the most difficult in the piano repertoire and Glemser is suited to the task. The Sonata #3 is played beautifully, but the highlight of this CD really is the Sonata #10 (the trill sonata) which is cosmic, profound music. Scriabin called this sonata his "Insect Sonata" ... insects being "divine because they are kissed by the sun" -- you can hear their wings beating, buzzing, and almost see the sun glittering. This is wonderful music, exciting, perhaps the best of all Scriabin's works. This disc also includes the famous Vers La Flamme, Scriabin's musical depiction of a dream he had about the end of the world... once again this is fantastic music. The audio engineering is superior as well -- the grand piano sound is excellent and it was digitally recorded in the 90's. It's the way Scriabin should sound.

Average customer rating:

Vladimir Horowitz Plays Scriabin

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00000DS85
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Sviatoslav Richter Plays Chopin & Scriabin

Average customer rating:

Sviatoslav Richter Plays Chopin & Scriabin

Manufacturer: Live Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003DKP
Release Date: 1995-05-23

Average customer rating:

Mixed bag
Scriabin's ears
Something has happened
I cannot believe this is an American pianist!
Luminous, unforgettable Scriabin!

Scriabin: Vers la flamme

Manufacturer: Image Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004GJYX
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

Prelude in B Major, Op. 11, No. 11
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 16, No. 2
Fragilite, Op. 51, No. 1
Etude in F-sharp Major, Op. 42, No. 3
Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 1
Feuillet d'album, Op. 45, No. 1
Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 15
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 12
Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 22, No. 1
Poeme, Op. 32, No. 1
Sonata No. 4, Op.30
Prelude in A Major, Op. 15, No. 1
Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 10
Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 42, No. 5
Prelude, Op. 74, No. 2
Guirlandes, Op. 73, No. 1
Prelude, Op. 74, No. 3
Feuillet d'album, Op. 58, No. 1
Poeme, Op. 59, No. 1
Prelude in B Major, Op. 16, No. 1
Etude, Op. 65, No. 3
Masque, Op. 63, No. 1
Prelude, Op. 67, No. 2
Flammes sombres, Op. 73, No. 2
Prelude, Op. 74, No. 5
Sonata No. 10, Op. 70
Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 17, No. 6
Poeme, Op. 71, No. 2
Prelude in B-flat Minor Op. 37, No. 1
Vers la Flamme, Op. 72

Album Description

Exciting American pianist and radio personality Christopher O'Riley is the perfect interpreter for this dark, brooding music. His virtuosity is perfectly captured with the new Sony DSD system, which has the highest digital sampling rate in the world. . Initial reaction to this disc has been unprecedented.

Customer Reviews:

Mixed bag.......2006-03-15

The music on this CD comes from some of Scriabin's most famous pieces (Preludes, Etudes, Sonata #4 and Sonata #10, and the Vers La Flamme). Some very technically superb and spectacular music making here, Riley especially shines in the fireworks of the Vers La Flamme and the sparkling Sonata #10. However in most of the performances I don't agree with his interpretation -- perhaps I'm too used to listening to other interpretations. His tempos seem either too slow or too fast. This is particularly apparent in his playing of the Op. 11, no. 1 for example, which should be a slow, sonorous piece which O'Riley races through. The music is not helped by the muddled sonics of the audio. Either the acoustics are not right or something is wrong with the recording. Perhaps there's been some post-recording processing to make this very stylized, echo-y sound. Overall I'm not very happy with this CD, but O'Riley's performance of the Sonata #10 and Vers La Flamme alone are reason enough to give this one a listen through.

Scriabin's ears.......2004-06-02

The performances on this CD are full of poetry. Most of the pieces recorded are the preludes, the slow, sombre, 'mystical' elements weaving in and out of O'Riley's fingers. Whereas O'Riley is able to bring out these elements with effectiveness, his overall playing lacks dynamics of any kind. He plays with no abandon whatsoever. Sonatas 4 and 10 are on this CD. I could not finish listening to the 4th, maybe because I am so use to THE Hamelin version. As for his performance of the 10th, it was mild. The last track, Vers la Flamme-again, no abandon, no dynamics. A very hairy piece I admit. But Sofronitsky I think does it justice. Every reviewer gives this CD 5 stars. Poetry is fine, but you need more than this to play Scriabin. O'Riley just doesn't quite cut it.

Something has happened.......2001-07-17

I don't know who is O'Riley but now I know that he has been there. I use to hear this music almost every day . I have no less than 20 different versions and all play this musc with better or with poorer sight..... from here. O'Riley plays from there. This recording has reminded me what the great words mean. We assist to a exhibition of musical logic. Nor the logic of a player. Not the logic of a composer. There is no player, no composer here. It is too pure. It is as the life of an un

1. Prelude in B Major, Op. 11, No. 11
2. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 16, No. 2
3. Fragilite, Op. 51, No. 1
4. Etude in F-sharp Major, Op. 42, No. 3
5. Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 1
6. Feuillet d'album, Op. 45, No. 1
7. Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 11, No. 15
8. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 12
9. Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 22, No. 1
10. Poeme, Op. 32, No. 1
11. Sonata No. 4, Op.30
12. Prelude in A Major, Op. 15, No. 1
13. Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 10
14. Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 42, No. 5
15. Prelude, Op. 74, No. 2
16. Guirlandes, Op. 73, No. 1
17. Prelude, Op. 74, No. 3
18. Feuillet d'album, Op. 58, No. 1
19. Poeme, Op. 59, No. 1
20. Prelude in B Major, Op. 16, No. 1