Alexander Scriabin - Complete Préludes Vol. 2 (Piers Lane)

Information

Composer: Alexander Scriabin

• Sept préludes, Op. 17
• Quatre préludes, Op. 22
• Deux préludes, Op. 27
• Quatre préludes, Op. 31
• Quatre préludes, Op. 33
• Trois préludes, Op. 35
• Quatre préludes, Op. 37
• Quatre préludes, Op. 39
• Prélude in E flat major, Op. 45 No. 3
• Quatre préludes, Op. 48
• Prélude in F major, Op. 49 No. 2
• Prélude in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2
• Prélude in E flat major, Op. 56 No. 1
• Prélude, Op. 59 No. 2
• Deux préludes, Op. 67
• Cinq préludes, Op 74

Piers Lane, piano

Date: 2000

Label: Hyperion

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Review

In 1992 Hyperion released Piers Lane’s exemplary Scriabin Etudes, whetting my appetite for more Scriabin from this stalwart pianist. It’s taken eight years for the sequel to materialize, yet, as they say in record reviewing land, the wait was worth it. Whether in the early Chopin-inspired Preludes or the foreboding, mystical late works, Lane’s flawless fingers and inspired brain are totally attuned to Scriabin’s hyper-expressive sound world. We are often reminded of the freedom and fantasy the composer’s son-in-law Vladimir Sofronitsky brought to this repertoire, or Vladimir Horowitz’s ravishing nuances and feverish temperament. Yet Lane makes these qualities his own. His rubatos and accentuations probe the music’s darker undercurrents, yet with more fluidity and forward motion than Naxos’ similarly inclined Evgeny Zarafiants.

The latter, however, includes a fascinating group of pieces by Scriabin’s short-lived 11-year-old son Julian. And there are many Scriabin Prelude performances in the bins that approach these works from different interpretive angles. Andrei Gavrilov’s razor-sharp drive and impulsive sensibility are a case in point, while Marta Deyanova’s straightforward, strongly profiled complete Op. 11 (Nimbus) couldn’t differ more from Lane’s fanciful, improvisatory touches. What is important, though, is that Lane projects his conceptions with unassailable authority, confidence, and genuine love for this music. Excellent annotations and gorgeous, flattering sonics help elevate this recording to reference version status among complete Scriabin Preludes cycles. Bravo! [5/21/2001]

-- Jed Distler

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Alexander Scriabin (6 January 1872 – 27 April 1915) was a Russian composer and pianist, renowned for his innovative contributions to classical music. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory under Anton Arensky, Sergei Taneyev and Vasily Safonov. Scriabin composed almost exclusively for solo piano and for orchestra. Initially influenced by Romanticism, his style evolved into more abstract and mystical realms, incorporating complex harmonies and unconventional scales. His most famous compositions include piano works like Etudes, Preludes, and Sonatas, as well as his symphonic work Prometheus: The Poem of Fire. 

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Piers Lane (born 8 January 1958) is an Australian classical pianist. Born in London and grew up in Brisbane, he graduated with a Medal of Excellence from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where his teacher was Nancy Weir. Lane first came to prominence at the inaugural Sydney International Piano Competition in 1977, at which he was named Best Australian Pianist. Since 2007, he is the artistic director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music held annually in Townsville. Lane has an extensive discography on the Hyperion label and has also recorded for EMI, Decca, BMG, Lyrita and Unicorn-Khanchana.

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