I heard Gilels in this Sonata in Paris Fall 1984. with some Scriabin Preludes ( and part one was Beethoven Hammerklavier.)...one year later he died...1985 october. I still rememember the sound.....in Theatre des Champs Élysée.....this second half of the concert ALL Scriabin was outstanding! God Bless Emil Guilels!
What I love most about Gilels' performance is that it's never rushed, with a concentration on developing lush sonorities; particularly in the first and third movements. The nickname 'etats ames' is also intriguing, intimating Scriabin's forays into theosophy with Madame Helena Blavatsky.
Never rushing Scriabin ... haha ! Scriabin himself at the piano "rushed" his own works ! And Gilels was one the first very boring pianist of our time. (no contrasts, incapacity of speed change, unability of sudden irruptive emotions, obsessive and constant mezzoforte, etc, etc, ...) Our time which is overwhelming boring.
Not a Scriabin fan but I love this sonata. It’s not as thorny as some of his other works, really sensible and Gilels nailed it here with his full-blooded touch. This and his London recording are my favorites, though I do like this one better :)
oops - I meant to say so deep in the keys, sorry for the typo. I have listened ti this recording a dozen times today, just can't hear it enough...Scriabin would be so happy if he could hear this interpretation.
2:37 Hey Maestro, this is noted "Drammatico" !!!!!!! I'm sleeping, as you are. And now, not so funny or polite, you are a real traitor to the score or the spirit of the score. Very nauseaus. (and for the people who are looking for a real version of this prodigious Sonata, go straight to Sofronitzky)
No doubt about the artist, Emil Giles, but Scriabin never pared-down his inspirations. Perhaps he should have studied with Beethoven, even Rachmaninoff.
