BIGGGGGGG Stretch in Scriabin Etude (op. 8 no. 12)

[dlu]

There is a big stretch from a d# and a g# (more than an octave away from the d#) in the left hand and I just can't get it!!!!!!!! There is stuff going on in the right hand so i can't hit the g# with the right. Should I just change it to either a D# of G# octave (which one would be best)? Any other suggestions?

[liszmaninopin]

Well, you could roll the chord very quickly-that's what I'd probably do if I couldn't make the stretch.  Or, if you wanted to experiment, try hitting the normal d# at the bottom, but shift the g# from the top down one octave, you're still hitting a d# and g#, but they're moved within reach; so you'd get a remotely comparable tone.  If you insist on doing an octave, I would do it on the d#.

[dlu]

Also, I have another Scriabin question: What sonata should I play first? Which is the easiest?

[liszmaninopin]

Do you want to learn all of the sonatas?

If I wanted to start with the easiest, I'd say it's probably the third, fourth, or ninth.

[chopiabin]

I'm not sure you should really change which note you play. Yeah, that stretch is really hard, but you just have to roll it really fast and then hit the B natural right after the G sharp. Are you talking whole sonata or individual movements?

[dlu]

I'm not sure you should really change which note you play. Yeah, that stretch is really hard, but you just have to roll it really fast and then hit the B natural right after the G sharp. Are you talking whole sonata or individual movements?

Yes, I want to learn a whole sonata of Sciabin's. Aren't most of them only one movement anyway? I really like 10, but I think that's one of the more difficult ones. Suggestions? How about 9?

[liszmaninopin]

All of his later sonatas are one mvt.  #10, from what others have told me and from my experience sight reading the score, is hard, but not his hardest.  I would say either 7 or 8 are Scriabin's hardest sonatas.  9 is probably the easiest of his later sonatas (it also has a really great climax-I would recommend learning this one).  5 and 6 are also extremely difficult, 10 is probably comparable to them.

[bachmaninov]

Well... First of all... Did you know that Scriabin couldn't even reach most of his "big" stretch such as that D# to G#...

-I simply make a fast jump to the notes... nothing to it

-And if you plan on learning ALL the sonatas... go for it... You must be one talented person to set a goal that high! I'm seriously struggling to learn the 5th right now... The Rythm on #5 is very hard to get down... and almost impossible for me to memorize! (Though i do recommend listening to the recording OVER and OVER and OVER again)

[pianiststrongbad]

When I played this peice I rolled that chord very quickly.  I am pretty sure Horowitz did too.

[blindmouth]

yeah, i wish that i had learned scriabin's fourth sonata before diving into his fifth. the fifth is very mercurial and is perhaps more emotionally than technically demanding on the player.

[donjuan]

The only Scriabin sonata I really do enjoy is the second one.  I find the first part so touching and brilliant.  I fail to understand or enjoy his later sonatas.
donjuan

[chopiabin]

You have to listen to them many times to fully understand them. It's really rewarding though.

[Daevren]

The rrhytms and harmonies/melodies in Scriabins late sonata's are so advanced and strange. Yet they sound so natural when you listen to them. Amazing music. If you don't like them, thats really unfortunate.