Stephen Coombs - Scriabin: Early Piano Works (2001)

Tracklist

01. Piano Sonata in E-Flat Minor: I. [Allegro appassionato]
02. Piano Sonata in E-Flat Minor: II. [Andantino] (Compl. Coombs)
03. Piano Sonata in E-Flat Minor: III. [Presto]
04. Valse in F Minor, Op. 1
05. Valse in G-Sharp Minor, WoO 7
06. Valse in D-Flat Major, WoO 8
07. Variations on a Theme by Mlle Egorova, WoO 9
08. Nocturne in A-Flat Major, WoO 3
09. 2 Nocturnes, Op. 5: No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor
10. 2 Nocturnes, Op. 5: No. 2 in A Major
11. Sonate-fantaisie in G-Sharp Minor, WoO 6
12. Fugue in E Minor, WoO 20
13. Canon in D Minor, WoO 1
14. Mazurka in B Minor, WoO 15
15. Mazurka in F Major, WoO 16
16. 12 Etudes, Op. 8: No. 12 in D-Sharp Minor. Patetico (Alternative Version)
17. Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9: I. Prelude in C-Sharp Minor
18. Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9: II. Nocturne in D-Flat Major
19. Allegro appassionato, Op. 4

Lovers of Scriabin's exotic, perfumed piano music, can not be without this disc. It conveniently collects all of Scriabin's early piano works that don't form part of a larger genre group (such as the complete preludes, already available on , the complete études, CDA66607, or the complete sonatas, CDA67131/2). The largest work is, in fact, a piano sonata, but one that Scriabin abandoned as his musical language was developing so rapidly. He reworked the first movement to form the Allegro appassionato Op 4, and much of the rest of the work was lost for many years. It re-surfaced in 1970, and here it is played in a completion by Stephen Coombs himself. There are also attractive juvenile miniatures, and more mature works such as the two pieces for the left hand Op 9, and two Nocturnes Op 5; and, fascinatingly, an early version of the well-known Étude in D sharp minor Op 8 No 12 (the virtuoso work made famous by Horowitz and others).

Stephen Coombs has already shown himself to be a stylish advocate of neglected Russian repertoire, and here he brings all his musicianship and idiomatic affinity to create an inspiring and illuminating disc. This is a must for those interested in the development of the uniquely individual composer. It goes some way to providing an answer to Stravinsky's exclamation: "Scriabin … where does he come from; and who are his forebears?".

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