Scriabin: Symphony no. 2 / Rêverie

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 2 in C minor/major, Op. 29
Composed by Alexander Nikolayevich Skryabin
Performed by USSR Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Evgeny Svetlanov

2. Rêverie, for orchestra in E major, Op. 24
Composed by Alexander Nikolayevich Skryabin
Performed by USSR Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Evgeny Svetlanov

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Symphony No. 3.......2006-01-07

I have all Scriabin's symphonies, but his third is by far my favorite. It is a work of such grandeur and power. The brass section of the orchestra is truly put to the test and pushed to the limits in this work. The reoccuring theme that is heard at the very beginning of the work is heard all throughout the whole symphony and remains a very prominant force in the work.

I have to say that this symphony is one of my absolute favorities and one of the finest ever written. The final movement is especially amazing, with the final bars culminating in one of the most fantastic codas to anything I have ever experienced in symphonic music.

I highly recommend this recording. If you are unfamiliar to Scriabin, do yourself a favor and get acquainted. You'll find his music and this symphony some of the most moving music you'll ever have the pleasure of hearing.

PARTIAL REDEMPTION.......2005-12-05

If Scriabin is an acquired taste, it's a taste that I acquired very easily. Like certain composers (e.g. Schoenberg) and unlike certain others (e.g. Rachmaninov) whose careers cover the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his idiom changed fairly drastically in the process. In Scriabin's case this change did not amount to a complete abjuration of the late romantic idiom, but well before his untimely death he had ceased to ascribe 'keys' to his works and had also stopped dividing them into separate movements in the traditional way, something Schoenberg always clung to. He took himself quite unbelievably seriously, developing a mission to redeem mankind through art. That sort of thing, like the similar aspirations of Shelley and Coleridge, seems hokum to me, but hokum whose results I happen to enjoy. I also sympathise entirely with his yearning, expressed in connexion with the 3rd symphony, for '...the evolution of the human spirit...torn from an entire past of beliefs and mysteries which it surmounts and overcomes...' Progress in this respect still seems deplorably slow and prone to relapse, and I sense that creative artists have lowered their sights to some extent in terms of what they think they can achieve along these lines.

The title of this set 'Complete Symphonies' seems to me a good one. Of the five main works here the first three bear the name of 'symphony', and the Poeme de l'Extase was conceived under the same title and intended at first to be in four movements, but by now Scriabin's imagination was taking leave of terra firma. When the work appeared in 1907 it was heralded by a 'philosophical programme' in verse, and its title is of course 'Poem'. If it is a symphony in some sense, then so is the final Prometheus - the Poem of Fire. This not only abandons the standard symphonic division into movements but envisages a wordless chorus, an obbligato piano part and even some kind of magic lantern that he wanted to project specified colours into the audience. The first performance of the work, in Moscow in 1911, lacked this colourful feature, a lack rectified at a performance in New York in 1915, the year of Scriabin's death. As for the harmony, it is roughly as radical as that of Delius.

In addition to the symphonies this set provides two earlier works, the piano concerto and a short Reverie. These, and the first symphony, are very traditional in idiom, and none the worse for that I'd say. The second symphony is a little bolder, but the real adult Scriabin first appears in the third symphony which is on the third disc of the set. The recording dates from several years earlier than the other two discs, but it seems to me much more satisfactory. The earlier discs are not badly recorded to be sure, but the sound lacks presence and vividness. The volume level is on the low side, but while turning it up improves matters a little it doesn't solve the basic problem - after a point it is just too loud and the sound is still not what Scriabin quite needs. I compared my vinyl set of the two Poems from Ormandy, and the difference in sound-quality in the Poeme du Feu on disc 1 is startling. There is still a difference when it comes to the Poeme de l'Extase on disc 3, but it is not so great, and it is less attributable to the recording. It points up, I think, some characteristics of the conductor.

As well as the two Poems, my collection of Scriabin contains quite a fair selection of his solo piano works, played by Horowitz, Richter, Ogdon, Gould - and Ashkenazy. Of these performances I like Ashkenazy's the least by quite a long way, because I have always found too much of his playing to be just a bit ordinary. When it came to listening to him in his latter-day incarnation as a conductor, I admit I underwent the process with some suspicions. These were founded on my previous experience of him as an interpreter even in his prime, but also caused by some scepticism regarding retired soloists finding a new career as conductors. Beecham, Toscanini and Karajan had a mission from the outset to be conductors. They went into the business when young, and they knew not to underestimate what it required. Elderly gentlemen taking the baton up as a sunset career will be treated doubtless with the respect due to their erstwhile eminence, but I wouldn't expect great things from them, nor do I find great things here. The difference from Ormandy shows markedly even in the Poeme de l'Extase. There is simply far more refinement, subtlety and sheer quality in Ormandy's account, and the recording, from sometime in the 70's, is actually better too, even on vinyl. The gap is even greater in Prometheus, affecting in particular the piano part from Peter Jablonski, given a recorded sound that is too discreet by half or more than half. This young player gets a fairer opportunity in the concerto, an attractive early work which he performs with aplomb and distinction. The first two symphonies and the Reverie are attractive too, and having nothing to compare them with I was consequently less critical.

In fact you will get very fair performances of Scriabin in general here, just not 5-star ones. The production is admirable in many ways, with the pieces sequenced with some imagination rather than in strict order of composition. The liner-note takes them in that order, and sensibly so, and it is a very sound and helpful production from Andrew Huth. I have no regrets at all about purchasing this interesting set, and I have given honesty and balance my best shot in the foregoing opinions.

Great overall.......2005-08-29

The Sym #3 in this set is awesome. The sound quality is excellent and the performance brings out so many details in this huge over-the-top work.

The other syms are well done too, but #3 is Scriabin's masterpiece so what really matters, in my view...

Scriabin: Symphonies 2, 3 and 4 (Poem of Ecstasy)

Average customer rating:

The 2nd Symphony is the star here
A so-so 2nd is made to shine

Scriabin: Symphonies 2, 3 and 4 (Poem of Ecstasy)

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000IM6S
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

The Poem Of Ecstasy, Op.54 - Adolph Herseth
I. Andante-
II. Allegro
III. Andante
IV. Tempestoso-
V. Maestoso

Tracks:

Lento-
Luttes: Allegro-
Voluptes: Lento-
Jeu Divin: Allegro
Reverie, Op.24

Amazon.com

Never one lacking a big vision, Alexander Scriabin also never lacked a big ear for big sound. His orchestral works are massive, both in structural scope--where their rhythms almost burst the bubble frequently--and instrumental size. This collection of the Second and Third Symphonies is a wonderful restorative work, showing with blazing heat (on the Second) how well Scriabin could command an orchestra. The clashes are big, the crescendos bigger, and the whole affair is like a harmonious thunderclap that keeps happening. The Poem of Ecstasy and Reverie that open and close the book on this two-CD set are heavily motivic, the first presenting lots of smaller fragments that recur in their construction of the whole piece, and the second a brief and restrained miniature. What one hears across these pieces is the composer's climbing vision, which investigates a more measured set of contrasts in the Third Symphony but never gives an inch on the big idea behind the music, which in short mixed the existentialism of the late 19th century with the mysticism of Madame Blavatsky and others. Sure, it's a mouthful as philosophy, but as music, it's an even bigger, funner earful. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

The 2nd Symphony is the star here.......2007-06-13

If you like your Scriabin unfussy, Jarvi's your man. Let's start right out by saying that the Symphony #3 (Divine Poem) and #4 (Poem of Ecstasy) are well-done. But you can get many other commendable readings of these works. No, the real stunner here is the 2nd Symphony. Scriabin himself professed a dislike of this work because he claimed too much of his inner thinking was revealed in the score (I guess he preferred to be inscrutible). In most performances, the piece does come off as rather perfunctory and even uninspired. Not here. The conductor builds the tension and the momentum throughout each section of the score, culminating in a truly shattering Scherzo that then segues into the last movement. In the hands of many conductors, the final movement comes across as empty rhetoric, but Jarvi turns it into an absolute triumph. The Scottish National Orchestra delivers an extraordinary reading that's extremely polished while at the same time being viscerally exciting. Jarvi's is most definitely the version to have of this symphony -- you can pass over Muti, Semkow, Svetlanov, Inbal, Ashkenazy and any number of others who are just also-rans in this repertoire.

A so-so 2nd is made to shine.......2001-02-25

I haven't heard this entire album. But recently, I heard its 2nd Symphony played on the radio, so my comments apply to the 2nd Symphony only. Bear that in mind. I'm a fan of Scriabin's piano music. I've heard his 2nd Symphony a couple of times over the past two decades, but it never stuck in my mind. I thought his first two symphonies didn't have much to offer. But this performance of the 2nd puts me on notice that Scriabin had progressed significantly since his 1st. It took Järvi's powerful rendition of this symphony to make me realize that it's a truly worthwhile work. I can still tell that the symphony is far from a great work. It's just O. K. But Järvi and his old band the SNO are so very adept at bringing out the best of what the 2nd has to offer that I couldn't help being impressed by Scriabin. I now see how much he had progressed since his routine and uninspired 1st Symphony. Scriabin had matured as a symphonist. But it took Järvi to make me realize it. This interpretation is in a solidly romantic vein, which feels appropriate. But occasionally, we sense Scriabin's growth toward his unique, advanced harmonics which came later. This is a work that deserves to be heard more often, but only a performance like Järvi and the SNO give here can make the work truly effective and appreciated. It reminds me again how fortunate we are in southeast Michigan to have Järvi in Detroit.

Scriabin: Symphony No. 1, Prelude, Op. 24; Poèms, Op. 32

Average customer rating:

An extatic first

Scriabin: Symphony No. 1, Prelude, Op. 24; Poèms, Op. 32

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Lento
Allegro Dramatico
Lento
Vivace
Allegro
Andante
Prelude For Orchestra (Reverie), Op.24
Poeme Op.32, No.1
Poeme Op.32, No.2

Customer Reviews:

An extatic first.......2003-05-28

Before listening to this album, my main exposure to Alexander Scriabin's first symphony had been Muti's version on EMI. There is little question that from a technical standpoint that last one is the superior of the two. However, this version offers a more rugged, openly emotional and unrestrained, 'more extatic' if you will, view on Scriabin's first 'poem'. The soloists give their best, as does the orchestra. Golovshin's lead, however, could have been a tad more held back in giving in to the score's idiosyncracies, giving a more 'vulgar' impression than Muti - who, perhaps, is somewhat over-civilized in his approach. But let that not detract from the fact that this is a fine recording. It is also finely recorded, and for the price, you can't really go wrong.

Scriabin: Symphony No.2/Reverie, Op.24/Le Poeme De L'extase

Average customer rating:

Scriabin: Symphony No.2/Reverie, Op.24/Le Poeme De L'extase

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000027E7U
Release Date: 1991-01-01

Tracks:

I. Andante
II. Allegro
III. Andante
IV. Tempestoso
V. Maestoso
Reverie
Le Poeme De L'Extase

Average customer rating:

Symphony 2 in C Minor
Scriabin , Tabakov , and Sofia Phil Orch
Manufacturer: Elan Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006B1PP
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Average customer rating:

Scriabin: Symphony No.2/Reverie, Op.24/Le Poeme De L'extase

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000016HQ
Release Date: 1994-04-04

Tracks:

I. Andante
II. Allegro
III. Andante
IV. Tempestoso
V. Maestoso
Reverie
Le Poeme De L'Extase

Average customer rating:

A reference

Scriabin: Symphony no. 2 / Rêverie

Manufacturer: Russian Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001LOF
Release Date: 1993-11-01

Tracks:

Sym No.2 in c, Op.29: Andante
Sym No.2 in c, Op.29: Allegro
Sym No.2 in c, Op.29: Andante
Sym No.2 in c, Op.29: Tempestoso
Sym No.2 in c, Op.29: Maestoso
Reverie, Op.24

Customer Reviews:

A reference.......2000-08-29

Yevgeny Svetlanov is well known as possibly the major living conductor of the Russian Repertoire. His many recordings of Rachmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov or Tchaikovsky as well as other less known Russian composers always show him bracing the scores, delivering gripping interpretations. This CD is all the more important as there are not many good recordings of Scriabin's symphonies. For those of you interested in historical performances, Golovanov may be the choice, although sound quality is often limited. In the last decades, only two conductors proved really outstanding in this demanding repertoire : Riccardo Muti and Svetlanov.