The fanasy in B minor (H moll in German notation) is probably the masterwork of the first period of Scriabin, together with the study op. 8 in D diesis minor. The harmony is still traditional, in line with Chopin (and in a lesser ectent Liszt) writing. But the imagination and creativity of an original and authentic creator is there. The fantasy is excellently interpreted by Larzar Berman.
and it's a LIVE recording... such an underrated pianist and a generous artist... saw him live in a very small town in Italy; after a recital including Pictures at an Exhibition, the second encore was Chopin's Polonaise op. 53!
I don't know the '50 performance by Berman but I think this is the best available.. We have to remember also that it's a LIVE performance! The control of this symphonic and hard-to-play constructionl is simply miracolous, Berman is dramatic without loosing his marvellous sound and at the same time is so lyrical in the B theme, specially in its minor reminiscence on the final section of this fantasy. Thanks to Scriabin for giving to us his Music and to Berman (R.I.P.) who made the sorcery!
He de volver a comentar... es algo sencillamente sublime, SUEÑO CON TOCAR ESTO, aunque solo este al nivel de varias sonatas de Beethoven (la 31 mas precisamente)
Su fraseo es pulcro,expresivo,elegante,firme,sin vacilaciones .Existe una tramsmision neurona-nervio -musculo-pulsacion, que no deja lugar a duda de que es un pianista con pleno convencimiento de que interpreta correctamente su cometido.
Fantastic pianism, but I can only hear the music as over-blown, excessive, self-indulgent, shapeless and vulgar. Any hints to put me on a ore appreciative path?
Try Richter, who really does wonders in bringing out the structure of this piece. Berman is a bit too noisy for my taste. Richter plays this so analytically that he practically transforms the piece into something else.
