Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 06/08/2005, uploaded on 03/01/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Five Preludes from Opp. 11 and 16      Alexander Scriabin

Prelude Op.16, No.1

The 24 Preludes Op.11 were composed between 1888 and 1896 and can be considered a tribute to Chopin, of whom the young Scriabin was very fond. The structure of Scriabin's Op.11 is indeed very similar to Chopin's Preludes Op.28. The 24 Preludes are divided into four sections of six preludes each, which follow one another according to the so-called "circle of fifths" and in major-minor alteration. Scriabin was by natural inclination a miniaturist, and composed short piano pieces throughout his life. His Preludes, fleeting evocations sometimes less than a page in length, reflect his own subtle pianism, which he liked to describe as 'crystalline' and 'perfumed'. The poetic diversity of these miniatures creates a fascinating program, ranging from volcanic energy and disturbing violence to haunting stillness and atmospheric illusion.   Lucille Chung

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.