#russiancomposers

Alexander Scriabin can be considered one of the most exciting personalities among Russian composers. He was born in 1872 in Moscow, to a family of noble origins. His mother, Lyubov Petrova Scriabina, who died in 1873, was a pianist too. Scriabin studied at the Moscow Conservatory from 1888 to 1892, around the same time as Sergey Rachmaninoff. His unique style of composition in the beginning was influenced by Fryderyk Chopin, however, as his compositional language matured, Scriabin was inspired by theosphy, mysticism, poetry, philosophy, and his own synaesthesia. In his ouvre, Scriabin reevaluated the meaning of Gesamtkunstwerk originated from Richard Wagner, as his later works were combinations of different branches of art.

For this post, I chose a piece from the composer’s first period. Scriabin started writing the Sonata op. 19 in g-sharp minor in 1892. It is the second among his ten piano sonatas. It was only published in 1897, after a series of revisions. In 1896, the composer stated the following: ’’I have finished the sonata, but I am completely dissatisfied with it (…)’’.

It consists of two movements, both in g-sharp minor:

I. Andante

II. Presto

This sonata feels almost impressionistic, which is not a coincidence, if we take a look at the programme notes written by the composer:

’’The first section represents the quiet of a southern night on the seashore; the development is the dark agitation of the deep, deep sea. The E major middle section shows caressing moonlight coming up after the first darkness of night. The second movement represents the vast expanses of ocean in a stormy night.’’

Despite being a late 19th century work, many ideas used by Scriabin in this sonata were the results of Beethoven’s experimenting with the sonata form. For example, both sonatas in his op. 27 (E-flat major and c-sharp minor) are subtitled ’’Quasi una fantasia’’, and differ a lot from the classical sonata form. In his 32 sonatas, many have less or more than the standard 4 movements. The most relevant is the Sonata op. 90 in e minor, which consists of only two movements.

One of the best recordings of this sonata is from Valentina Lisitsa, Ukranian pianist who became famous on YouTube. The recording was made in 2013, in Blumenstein, Canton of Bern, Switzerland-which is also related to Scriabin’s life: in 1903 he moved to Switzerland with his wife. I think Lisitsa’s interpretation creates an atmosphere which is very close to the sensations mentioned in the programme notes, and the acoustic environment of the church makes this recording unique.

Sergey Rachmaninoff is still one of the most well known Russian composers. He was born in 1873 in Oneg, Russia, and died in 1943, Los Angeles. He was also a virtuoso pianist and a conductor, who’s ouvre includes piano pieces, four piano concertos, four sypmhonies, chamber music, and many other genres. In his compositions he continued the tradition of Tchaikovsky’s style which was influenced by Western music, and by the virtuosity of Franz Liszt. Before becoming a musician, he was expected to complete a military school and continue the family tradition, but he enrolled the Moscow Conservatory in 1885. Later in life, he faced challenges which affected his creative spirit, such as long episodes of depression, and the homesickness after his exile from Russia to Switzerland and later, to the USA after the October Revolution in 1917. Many of his compositions reflect these inner struggles, and the longing for his homeland, illustrated by the use of Orthodox Christian chants, the sound of bells, and rhythms inspired by Russian folk music.

For this post, I decided to write about an underrated gem: Trio Élégiaque no. 2 op. 9 in d minor for violin, cello, and piano. The reason why I chose this piece is that, in my opinion, that most composers have one tonality which is particularly close to them. In the case of Rachmaninoff, this tonality is d minor. Many of his important works are written in d minor, such as his Symphony no. 1, his first piano sonata, the Piano concerto no. 3, or the Variations on a theme by Corelli. Additionally, the first movement of this trio is the most mature one, predicting the tone of Rachmaninoff’s later works with its exquisite harmonic language and extremly wide range of emotions.

The trio was dedicated to the memory of Tchaikovsky, who died unexpectedly in 1893. When composing this trio, Rachmaninoff was only 18 years old, still studying at the Moscow Conservatory. This piece was preceded by the Trio Élégiaque no. 1 in g minor (1892). He could have taken inspiration from Tchaikovsky’s Trio op. 50 in a minor, written for the memory of Nikolai Rubinstein (In the memory of a great artist). It was premiered in 1894.

The piece consists of three movements:

I. Moderato

II. Quasi Variazione

III. Allegro Risoluto

I think the earliest, most authentic recording of the Trio was made by the Oistrach Trio in 1958, Moscow. The trio performed on concerts from 1940 to 1963, being one of the most excellent chamber music ensambles of their time. The members were the violinist David Feodorovich Oistrach (1908-1974), cellist Sergey Knushewitsky (1908-1963), and pianist Lev Oborin (1907-1974).

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