Scriabin, Prelude Op. 11, No. 13 in G flat

[rachfan]

This is another of Scriabin's early period works dated 1895.  This prelude is one of great charm.  I hope you'll enjoy it. 

Comments welcome.

David

Piano: Baldwin Model L Artist Grand (6’3”) with lid fully open
Recorder: Korg MR-1000
Microphones: Earthworks TC-20 matched pair of small diaphragm omni-directional condenser mics in A-B configuration

[costicina]

I'm fond of Scriabin Preludes (especially op 11). You're such a fine interpreter of this amazing composer, David! You have really a  "glückliche Hand" in performing these masterpieces...
Thanks for sharing !!! (I hope you'll record all the set...)

[rachfan]

Hi Marg,

Thanks for listening and for the nice compliments!  It makes all the effort feel worthwhile.  I agree, when it comes to Scriabin preludes, Op. 11 is the best.  I probably can't record the set, but there are others I could do there.  At the moment I'm sort of taking a detour on my way to revisit Glazunov again.  Along the way I'll do more Scriabin.

Thanks again!

David

[ted]

It is in a little, unpretentious, yet deeply felt piece like this that your interpretive strength really shows David. I looked at the score and there's not much indication of anything in the way of rhythm or phrasing. In your hands it is alive and breathing, a truly nostalgic romantic cameo, full of implication, but I'll bet many a metronomic and stodgy rendition of this piece has occurred since it was written.

[rachfan]

Hi Ted,

Some of these Scriabin miniatures are truly gems, as is this one.  I'm glad that he did not clutter this brief score with directions.  Where it's left more open, it enables more interpretation.  Thanks for listening and your compliments on my playing!  You might also like No. 12 further down the list here.

David

[emill]

hello David,

It is always interesting to listen to pieces by Scriabin and to read the discussions thereafter .... very educational for me. I have only been introduced this composer only through PS the last few years.

I would like to say that the quality of your recordings are excellent .... you seem to have gotten the correct equipment, configuration and placements for your particular case .... your piano sounds great and natural.  It is really a pity that many of us do not do justice to the efforts exerted by pianists to bring out excellent performances as we can only come up with a whimp of a recording .... which is altogether another ART!

[rachfan]

Hi emill,

I'm glad you enjoyed this Scriabin recording.  I've been very pleased with the recording equipment I now use.  It is fine quality, offers ease of use, and excellent results.  And yes, I think I've got the placements of the mics down pat now too.  That's often the tricky part. 

Thanks for listening!

David

[goldentone]

These two pieces are from the same set as my Op. 11, 4 I recorded a few years ago.  I wonder what other gems are in it?

Another very well-played piece.  Really touching.  Love that great surging beauty about a third of the way through.  It really is a delight to hear you play, David.

  

[rachfan]

Hi goldentone,

Yes, this prelude is a gem to be sure.  But there are many more of them.  As you know, Op. 11 is a large collection of preludes grouped into four parts.  So there are numerous good tunes hidden away in there.

Thanks so much for your compliments on my playing.  I appreciate it!

David

[rachfan]

duplicate post

[gvans]

HI David,

Another brilliant miniature. Well played! I especially like your unhurried use of silence after the crescendo 2/3 through--Mozart said "Silence is the canvas upon which music is painted."
Nice brushwork!

Glenn

[marik1]

Hi David,

Thank you for such dedication to Russian composers! I think you capture the sprit of this music very nicely, with very delicate touch and feeling. If I could take a liberty and give you a critique, my suggestion would be--avoid downbeats--this is essential for MOST of Russian music and LOTS of Chopin (as well as Bach, BTW). Moreover, Schumann, for example, very often even with his writing suggested breaking bar lines (look for example, into Toccata, many Novelletten, Fantastucks, Sonatas, Fantasy, etc.).

As it is, with all the heart felt interpretation, it feels squared because you always go to a downbeat. Instead, start the phrase "from the source"--then pass and round the phrase right at the bar line--that's essential for most of the Russian music interpretation.

Hope that's of help.

Best, M

[rachfan]

Hi marik1,

Thank you so much for  your suggestion on the downbeats.  I think in No. 12 below I was a bit more successful in that regard.  But here in No. 13, as I listen, your point is well taken.  It's what we used to call the "tyranny of the bar line" where the downbeats were too prominent. 

I appreciate the performance tip!

David