Technical Difficulty of Scriabin Piano Concerto?

[teosoleil]

Hi there,

I was just wondering if anybody has any judgments or thoughts on the technical difficulty of the Scriabin Piano Concerto, one of the most passionate and emotional pieces of all time (and unfairly neglected!)

Of course, I'm sure we all know that the spiritual and emotional aspect of Scriabin's musicality is one of the most unexecutable and revered.

So, any thoughts?

Update: Every time I listen to this piece, my heart bursts open and I feel those little precious feelings and think those passionate thoughts, experiences that life seldom gives to you. I can't describe how beautiful this concerto is, certainly one of the most Romantic, extremely precious pieces. I recommend at least one listen to all. (Can't imagine how one would fine this concerto "boring" as I've read somewhere else on this forum. Emotional, slow, moving, but not boring, lol.)

[andreslr6]

I don´t consider it too hard. It´s definitely not a concerto to start with, but it´s sure not one of the hardest. The main problems I had with it were with the left hand, big intervals and leaps; and the polyphony, it can be tricky sometimes due to the polyrhythm, there´s a part where you have to play 2 vs 3 vs 4 at the same time, with both hands of course.

I can remember also having problem solving the rhythm of the second movement, you have 5 vs 6, 5 vs 7 and 6 vs 7. But it´s "easy" once you get the hang of it.

Another difficulty was that you´re constantly playing on black keys, so it can be uncommfortable at some times.

The 3rd movement, I don´t recall any major problem, maybe the middle section that has huge arppegios were you need to cross the hands, and getting it at tempo. That´s all I can remember for now, not that I want to prejudice with my experience but rather to let you now that you have to take extra care for those places.

If you´re planning on playing it, I recommend you first learn one of his early sonatas, one between the 1st and the 4th, so you start getting familirized with Scriabin´s "romantic" style, or whatever you call it, (I call it his tonal period ) learn some of his etudes, op.45 no. 5 is good because of the left hand, Scriabin is like 80% left hand lol. Maybe pick a set of small pieces too, but whatever you do, play something else by him before or at the same time you start learning the concerto, so you have a "Scriabinesque" foundation to support the concerto.

But anyways, remember to pay extra attention to the left hand and to the polyrhythm.

It´s actually one of my favorites, so I had no trouble with memory, by reading your update I believe you´ll learn it quick as well , so believe me when I say, you´ll enjoy it much more when you play it.

I would certainly like to talk about the more musical aspects of this piece, but for starters I´ll just share you this, but if you have more questions, feel free to ask, as specific as you want to be

What have you played from Scriabin? what other concertos have you played?