Introduction to Sorabji

[dough_mouse]

Hello, Ive seen a bunch of stuff on this site about this Kaikhosru Sorabji fellow, and there seems to be very strong emotions about him all around, whether positive or negative. Because of this, I am interested in sampling some of his work, so I was wondering whether any of the die hard fans of Sorabji here could perhaps tell me a good piece of his to start out learning. One that's not extremely difficult but still a good example of the quality of his works; say, roughly equivalent in difficulty to Rach's C# minor prelude.

Also, another problem is that there arent many recordings of his music (at least i havent found many), and of those that do exist, I hear the majority are of poor quality, so I would also appreciate it if someone could recommend a good recording of his that would show me what he's about.

Thanks a bunch.

[sergei r]

John Carey or Alistair Hinton would probably know...

[pita bread]

You know, there's really little Sorabji that's at the level of Rach's Prelude in C# minor. I'd try "In the Hothouse" from the set of Two Pieces for some languid and colorful mpressionism.

[pseudopianist]

C# minor prelude? Hmmm not sure there are any at all like pita bread said. I would agree on "in the hothouse" but since it is the only Sorabji piece I can't stand, I would say: Interlude from his Prelude, interlude and fugue

[dough_mouse]

What about a piece around the difficulty level of Scriabin's D# minor 8/12 etude? Thats what im currently learning, so I guess i would be ok with playing a Sorabji piece a little bit harder than that if there are none available at the medium skill level range.

[pita bread]

Go for the Pastiche on the Hindu Merchant's Song from Sadko. It has some pretty taxing spans but nothing impossible if you have large enough hands to play the 8/12.