Scriabin 3 or 5

[pianistcellist]

So I need to choose between Scriabin 3 and Scriabin 5. I haven't done a Scriabin sonata yet, but I have done quite a bit of late romantic stuff (Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Debussy etc.), so I am not too worried about the "language barrier." They both seem difficult, but neither jumps out as being substantially more difficult (except maybe the LH in the last movement of 3). I love 5, but I also love the slow mvt of 3. I have gone back and forth so many times and now it is time to choose. Anyone have experiences with either or both and have any advice to offer?

Thanks

[steinway43]

Why not both? And why not no.2 as well. (Side note: I call 2 and 3 the sister sonatas because of the similar left hand motif in the first movements).

It's funny that you're looking at these, as I'm working on both 3 and 5 right now myself. I was thinking of those as the first half of a Russian program.

I wouldn't worry about the left hand in the last movement of #3. You might need some HS practice. Be sure to keep it crystal clear, though. Kissin's recording of this is by far the best in my view.

 

[pianistcellist]

I'd love to do both, but I just don't have time right now. Maybe someday. The rest of my program (not for anything specific, just what I need to add to my rep) is going to keep me busy enough:

Beethoven Concerto No. 4
Schubert A major D. 664
Chopin Barcarolle
Liszt Vallée d'obermann

These plus which ever Scriabin I choose will be more than enough for the next few months.

[sergeypiano]

I'd certainly vote for the 3rd sonata. Related as these sonatas may seem to one, the pianistic tasks that the 5th one poses are much more uncompromising and refined in terms of Scriabin's finding how his own music should be played and hence sound. The 3rd sonata leads us to the same pianistic devices that he uses in the 5th, but making them more accessible to a pianist rather familiar with Chopin and Liszt. And, yes, the harmonic language is more telling to a newcomer as to what is going on in the 3rd sonata.

[lighthand045]

The third is more musically easier than the fifth. I would choose that instead.
The ledt hand figure on the 3rd it's easy until you get hang on it(you'll need wrist movement in order to become less fatiguing).
The 5th is more difficult musically, technically also on certain points. The recurring themes(like Languido theme) should be clear enough before their reappearance on the ecstatic coda.
 
Visit this thread, the rank is well scaled:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,9944.0.html