Scriabin edition??

[akkra_tuns]

What is the best edition for Scriabin's piano works, especially for the Fantasie op.28...??

[rachfan]

Hi akkra,

According to Hinson's repertoire guide, the three editions still available now are Belaieff, Kalmus (now owned by Warner Bros. Publications), and International Music Co. (now owned by Bourne).  I have the Kalmus here at home.  Let me say this about Kalmus.  About 20 years ago, I tried to avoid Kalmus, as pianists threw as many rocks at them as at Schirmer, and justifiably so.  However, over the ensuing years Kalmus cleaned up its act considerably, and its editions have gained more respect now.  But if you want to go to the real source, sign on to the IMSLP website, click on composers, then Scriabin, and then the Fantasy Op. 28.  There is the Belaieff edition that you can download and print off.  Beliaeff was one of Scriabin's early publishers, as well as being a friend and benefactor to the composer, especially when Scriabin was short of cash, which was frequently.  You can't go wrong with Belaieff.  Incidentally, I briefly compared page 1 between Belaieff and Kalmus, and it appears that Kalmus used Belaieff as the basis for its edition.  I hope this helps.

[Nightscape]

Recently, Henle has begun editing several of Scriabin's works - these are very new editions, put out in just last few years.  I have the Sonata no. 7 which is fantastic and is simply leaps and bounds better than what else is out there (and what is there is few).  The original editions of Scriabin's works I have found to be quite sloppy and sometimes confusing, just look through the Dover books of his works.

I believe you can get Sonatas 6-8 and the op.11 preludes from Henle at this point, possibly more.  Hopefully they will edit the op.28 fantasy at some point as well.

[faulty_damper]

Recently, Henle has begun editing several of Scriabin's works - these are very new editions, put out in just last few years.  I have the Sonata no. 7 which is fantastic and is simply leaps and bounds better than what else is out there (and what is there is few).  The original editions of Scriabin's works I have found to be quite sloppy and sometimes confusing, just look through the Dover books of his works.

I believe you can get Sonatas 6-8 and the op.11 preludes from Henle at this point, possibly more.  Hopefully they will edit the op.28 fantasy at some point as well.

Defending the Dover edition: the Dover edition has made many corrections to their reprints.  These corrections come from Scriabin's own corrected copies.  These include notes, rhythms, and expressive markings as early editions contained a few of these issues.

[Nightscape]

For some pieces of Scriabin I think Dover is fine.  But I have sonata no.7 in both henle and dover, and I have to say the Dover edition of the piece makes it look like a nightmare.  Not only is the typesetting ugly and clunky, but a lot of the rhythms look very confusing based on the way they are spaced - I also don't like the way the notes are slanted - it's just a personal preference but when I want to learn a piece of music I want to make that process as simple and easy as possible so I can start making music right away. 

[dnephi]

I have the IMC Fantasy, and it's not too easy to read.  Wonderful piece, though, which I recommend if you're willing to play an extremely awkward and difficult challenge.

[cherub_rocker1979]

I'm learning this as well and I am using the Konemann edition which I checked out from the school music library, since it's no longer in print.  Being a grad student, I get to keep it for the whole semester!  I will probably be buying the Belaieff edition since I would like to have a copy of my own.

[faulty_damper]

For some pieces of Scriabin I think Dover is fine.  But I have sonata no.7 in both henle and dover, and I have to say the Dover edition of the piece makes it look like a nightmare.  Not only is the typesetting ugly and clunky, but a lot of the rhythms look very confusing based on the way they are spaced - I also don't like the way the notes are slanted - it's just a personal preference but when I want to learn a piece of music I want to make that process as simple and easy as possible so I can start making music right away. 

It's not typeset.  It's a facsimile of an engraved edition hence the poor copy.  The poor quality of the print is not the fault of Dover; it is the fault of the original publication which was poor to begin with.

[faulty_damper]

I'm learning this as well and I am using the Konemann edition which I checked out from the school music library, since it's no longer in print.  Being a grad student, I get to keep it for the whole semester!  I will probably be buying the Belaieff edition since I would like to have a copy of my own.

I would also suggest looking at the Dover edition for any annotations and corrections.

I have the complete Koenemann edition of Scriabin's works and the sources of the works do not include any corrections by the composer.  Dover includes those corrections.

I purchased the Koenemann edition because of the clear engraving but I check the Dover editions for any corrections.

[cherub_rocker1979]

Yes, I certainly agree that it is a good idea to consult different editions when one is learning a work.  I presume, however, that the Konemann edition is pretty reliable since it is an urtext edition.  I will definitely take a look at the Belaieff and the Dover editions--although my gut feeling is that there will be few, if any differences between the two.

I don't really have a problem with the Dover editions, I know that they do a good job with corrections.  I just wish that their editions were easier to read, since Scriabin's music is already so dang hard as it is.  What I find really attractive about the Konemann edition is that it is very easy to read, very much like the Henle and Bahrenreiter editions of Germanic composers.

[cherub_rocker1979]

I just started a discussion thread on the Fantasie at the PimpMyPiano forum if anyone is interested.

[rachmaninova]

I usually don't like Peters, but they have a good edition of Scriabin's Études and Sonatas. I also have the volume with some of the Préludes and other pieces ("Vers la flamme", for instance) and it's also good.

[quantum]

I like referencing the Peters edition.  Fingerings are especially useful - Scriabin's own fingering is also indicated in places.