Piano Sonata No. 9 (Scriabin)
ThePiano Sonata No. 9,Op. 68,commonly known as theBlack MassSonata,is one of the latepiano sonatascomposed byAlexander Scriabin.The work was written around 1912–1913. Although its nickname was not invented by Scriabin (unlike the nicknameWhite Massgiven to hisSeventh Sonata), he approved of it.
Structure and content
[edit]The ninth sonata is a single movement. It typically lasts 8–10 minutes, and is marked as follows:
- Moderato quasi andante – Molto meno vivo – Allegro molto – Alla marcia – Allegro – Presto – Tempo primo
Like Scriabin's other late works, the piece is highlychromatic.TheBlack MassSonata is particularlydissonantbecause many of its themes are based around anintervalof aminor ninth,one of the most unstable sounds. Its marking 'legendaire' exactly captures the sense of distant mysterious wailing which grows in force and menace.[1]The opening theme is constantly transformed, from the early trillarpeggio's sounding unsettling and then completely shifting, eventually tumbling in rapid cascades into a grotesque march.[1]Scriabin builds a continuous structure of mounting complexity and tension, and pursues the combination of themes with unusual tenacity, eventually reaching a climax as harsh as anything in his music.[1]The piece ends with the original theme reinstated.
Like Scriabin's other sonatas, it is both technically and musically highly demanding for the pianist, sometimes extending to threestavesas opposed to the standard two used in piano music.
Recordings
[edit]One of Scriabin's better-known works, the ninth sonata has been recorded and performed extensively, notably byVladimir Horowitz,Vladimir Sofronitsky,Vladimir Ashkenazy,Sviatoslav Richter,Andrej Hoteev,[2]Garrick Ohlsson,Burkard Schliessmannand Pietro Scarpini.
Notes
[edit]- ^abc(1997), Ashkenazy notes, p6
- ^DiscographieArchived2014-11-06 at theWayback Machine
References
[edit]- "Alexander Scriabin: The Piano Sonatas".Scriabin: The Piano Sonatas(CD liner).Vladimir Ashkenazy.Decca.1997. pp. 5–7.
{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
External links
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