What does this notation mean? (Scriabin op. 11 no. 5)

[davidjosepha]

[proklover]

It's just a rest for all voices, I guess
...search a recording on YouTube and see how they play it?

[pianoman53]

I'm quite sure that's a chord, with some sort of extra long value. What's the time signature?

[davidjosepha]

I'm quite sure that's a chord, with some sort of extra long value. What's the time signature?

Ah, checked the time signature. I think you're close, but not exactly...

The time signature is 4/2, and the piece starts with a pickup measure of 2 half notes, so I think the marking at the end is supposed to indicate that the chord is a "whole note" in the sense that it lasts 4 beats, but not in the sense of it lasting for an entire measure, since there are only 2 beats left after you account for the 2 at the beginning of the piece.

Thank you for making me check the time signature!

[iansinclair]

You might call it a whole note -- I forget just at the moment the technical term -- and it has the time value of four half notes; four beats in 4/2 time.

[davidjosepha]

You might call it a whole note -- I forget just at the moment the technical term -- and it has the time value of four half notes; four beats in 4/2 time.

Why should it be that way? There are two beats (2 half notes) in the first measure of the piece. Shouldn't these be borrowed from the end, leaving only 2 half notes left in the end?

[scherzo123]

lol I thought it was a printing mistake.

[davidjosepha]

lol I thought it was a printing mistake.

I thought that at first as well, but I have three separate copies of this work which all have it, plus the ones I've seen on IMSLP

[g_s_223]

It's called a breve, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_whole_note

Re "missing beats" that would only be applicable if there was a repeat indicated, which there isn't.

[nearenough]

If you look at Schumann's Carnaval op 9 the piece following Coquette is "Sphinxs" (page 11 Kalmus vol 2) and it consists of 3 bars of 4, 3, 4 box shaped notes like in the Scriabin but elongated horizontally. A note says, "The Sphinxes (sic) should not be played."
I have noted Horowitz plays them rather forcefully in his Japan and NYC concert(s). If not "Breves" what are these notes called, or did Schumann invent them? Why would Schumann write unplayable notes at all? Maybe he was a forerunner of John Cage.

in the Humoreske Op 20 there is a section "Hastig" where the composer indicates "this inner part is not to be played. The player is to 'read between the lines' here, as it were." This is yet more mysterious, but I guess  a composer can do anything he wants. Elliott Carter. Kaikosru Shapurji Sorabji. Michael Finnissy.

I am an artist (among other things) and I have long thought of hanging a show of, say of 3x5 cards, where paintings would be described in words and not actually painted. Somebody beat me to the punch by selling a sculpture with such a method. Anybody want a symphony described?

[davidjosepha]

A note says, "The Sphinxes (sic) should not be played."

...

in the Humoreske Op 20 there is a section "Hastig" where the composer indicates "this inner part is not to be played. The player is to 'read between the lines' here, as it were."

Any respect I had for Schumann is now gone.

[j_menz]

Any respect I had for Schumann is now gone.

The indication that the Sphynxes should not be played is, I believe, editorial rather than Schumann's own. I suspect the same to be true of the Humoreske.

Not playing anything for the Sphynxes is common practice, but not universal.  What Schumann actually intended is not clear, though given the name it is probably his rather contorted idea of an inside joke. I personally skip them. If I were performing, I'd probably sit there for a bit trying to look mkysterious; in the privacy of my own piano room that just feels a bit weird.

[justinrp97]

This is a double whole note or a breve.  Since this piece is 4/2 it fits perfectly in the measure.

[justinrp97]

Why should it be that way? There are two beats (2 half notes) in the first measure of the piece. Shouldn't these be borrowed from the end, leaving only 2 half notes left in the end?

Not necessarily.

[werq34ac]

Why should it be that way? There are two beats (2 half notes) in the first measure of the piece. Shouldn't these be borrowed from the end, leaving only 2 half notes left in the end?

Doesn't apply. You can start a piece with an upbeat, but you probably should end the piece with a whole measure.

Unless there's a repeat at the end. But personally, I hate pieces that have a repeat at the end. It's like the composer didn't bother to write a good ending. It's why I don't like the C#m Chopin Polonaise and I absolutely abhor the Military Polonaise.