Search - Scriabin, Taub :: Piano Sonatas 1-5

The best overall Scriabin sonatas set

SRS | Ohio | 06/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The posthumous sonatas are missing, unfortunately. And, the set, like the rest of them, is uneven. But, the sound quality is first-rate, and some of Taub's performances rival even Horowitz and Sofronitsky. Aside from the seventh and eighth sonatas, and the second movement of the second, this set is excellent.





Here's a breakdown for my suggested recordings of the sonatas, based on those I've heard:



G#m posthumous: Hamelin.



Ebm posthumous: Glemser.



No. 1: Kocyan, then Ashkenazy, then Taub. Kocyan tells a story. Ashkenazy is passionate. Taub is darker.



No. 2: Kocyan, then Glemser or Sofronitsky, then Ashkenazy. Kocyan's fluidity takes it, but Sofronitsky is artistic. Glemser's first movement is beautiful.



No. 3: Laredo or Horowitz. Then Glemser or Taub. Then Ashkenazy or Sofronitsky.



No. 4: Taub or Sofronitsky. The latter has more artistry, the former a more coherent and appropriate tone.



No. 5: Horowitz or Taub. The former has electric genius, the latter has wonderful refinement. Hamelin's is excellent (definitely his best Scriabin performance). I've heard that Richter's is great, but I don't have it.



No. 6: Richter (genius but bad sound quality), then Taub. Hamelin's is excellent and lacking simultaneously.



No. 7: Glemser, then Laredo. The former brings out all the complexity with precision, the latter is sharp and clear. I have not heard Richter's.



No. 8: Ashkenazy. Then Szidon or Laredo. I've read that Sofronitsky's is good, but I don't have it.



No. 9: Sofronitsky, then Horowitz (all versions), then Glemser, then Szidon and Taub.



No. 10: Horowitz or Taub. Same contrast of styles between the pianists as the fifth sonata. Like the fifth, this is Taub's other brilliant performance.



Other pieces:



Fantasy in B minor: Glemser

Vers la flamme: Sofronitsky or Horowitz, then Laredo.

Piano concerto: Ugorski/Boulez, then Ashkenazy/Maazel. Both are excellent, but I give the edge to Ugorski.

Poem of Ecstasy: Maazel

Prometheus: Ashkenazy/Maazel"