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Petr Laul – Complete Scriabin Project

Petr Laul plays the complete piano works of Scriabin

In this year 2022, we celebrate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Alexander Scriabin. Anniversary whose celebrations began in 2021, since Scriabin has the privilege of being born in 1871 or 1872 according to the Julian or Georgian calendars.

This end of 2021, Petr Laul has set himself the incredible challenge of recording the entire work for solo piano (works with opus numbers). This represents 65 opuses and around 200 pieces.

Pianists Corner is happy to echo this exciting pianistic adventure.

The entire Petr Laul Playlist is accessible on the Pianists Corner app (Just search for “Petr Laul”).

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Shortcuts to the text :

It is customary to present Scriabin’s works according to 3 periods:

  • The first period which goes until 1903 where the influence of Chopin, Liszt or Wagner is very sensitive.
  • The second period from 1903 to 1910, transitional period where symbolism becomes more and more present.
  • The third period from 1911 to his death (1915), where he evolved towards a modernist movement.

First period (1886-1903) :

Opus 1 is a waltz. How not to see a tribute to Chopin.

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Opus 2 consists of a study, a prelude and an impromptu

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First set of mazurkas

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From the 1st movement of the first sonata

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First set of nocturnes

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The first sonata is still strongly marked by the influence of Chopin

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First set of etudes

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After an injury to his right hand which paralyzes him, Scriabin reinforces his work with the left hand which results in the writing of the prelude and the nocturne of opus 9

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New tribute to Chopin the 24 preludes of opus 11

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The second sonata is for some of maritime inspiration.

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After his concerto for piano and orchestra opus 20, Scriabin returns to writing for solo piano

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The third sonata is nicknamed “States of the soul”

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Opus 24 is a piece for orchestra “Rêverie”

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The first performance of the symphony No.1 opus 26 took place in Moscow on March 29, 1901 under the baton of his piano teacher Vasily Safonov

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Second period (1903-1910) :

The second symphony Opus 29, was created on January 12, 1902 in Saint Petersburg, under the direction of Anatoly Lyadov.

The fourth sonata is generally considered to be the beginning of Scriabin’s middle period due to the newly mystical sonorities and tonal ambiguity of the first movement.

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First set of poems

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The third symphony, opus 43, was premiered in Paris on May 29, 1905, under the direction of Arthur Nikisch

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Opus 45 consists of an album leaf, a poem and a prelude

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Opus 49 consists of an etude, a prelude and a reverie

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Opus 50 was not used by Scriabin. Maybe because of a superstition.

The 4 pieces of opus 51 are: “Fragilité”, “Prélude”, “Poème ailé” et “Danse languide”

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Opus 52 consists of two poems and an enigma (central piece)

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Created on November 18, 1908 in Moscow, the fifth sonata breaks with the classical form and has a single movement.

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The Poem of Ecstasy (op. 54) was premiered on December 10, 1908 in New York under the direction of Modest Altschuler.

Opus 55 is not used by Scriabin, again perhaps due to superstition

Opus 56 consists of 4 pieces: Prélude, Ironies, Nuances and Etude

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Opus 57 consists of 2 pieces: Désir and Caresse dansée

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Opus 59 consists of 2 pieces: Poème and Prélude

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Third period (1911-1915) :

With the sixth sonata and the symphonic poem Prometheus (op. 60), Scriabin enters his last period, turned towards a modernist current.

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The seventh sonata is also known as the “Messe blanche”

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The ninth sonata is also known as the “Messe noire”. This title is not by the composer.

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The tenth and final sonata is often called “Les insectes”.

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Opus 74 is Scriabin’s last work.

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Many thanks and congratulations to Petr Laul for sharing all of his performances.

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