Search - Alexander Scriabin, Bernd Glemser :: Scriabin: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1

I am limited to 5 stars

M. Sotil | Bronx, NY USA | 04/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love Scriabin, get this recording (and also No 2 with the balance of the sonatas). Glemser has it all: absolute control (his balance between right and left hands is astounding), musicianship of the highest order and technique to match (actually to throw away) but which he does not abuse. He uses exactly what is needed to project this wonderful music in all its magic and mysterious beauty. He understands this music like no other.. This is very difficult music to play easily muddled by a lesser pianist (never mind hitting the notes), but you will no detect any straining in the playing. Forget Sofronitski. Ruth Laredo at her peak might have given competition. The sound is rich and detailed and cannot be faulted. The CD notes do not give credit to the superb instrument, which sounds like a Hamburg Steinway."

Finally, a great performance of the 7th sonata

SRS | Ohio | 04/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite producing some truly great performances of other sonatas, pianists routinely butcher the 7th. I won't name names. Glemser, though, has the technical skill and musical sensibility necessary to play the piece well, a piece that probably it up near the top of the "most difficult piano sonatas" list. Horowitz didn't play it. Neither did Sofronitsky.



The fantasy in B minor is prettier than Hamelin's, too. The first movement of the 2nd sonata is played superbly. The sound quality of the recording is top-notch. My choices for the 5th sonata are Robert Taub and Vladimir Horowitz with Hamelin as runner-up. For the 6th, I love Richter's but hate the sound quality, and Taub's has more character than Glemser's. The 9th is owned by Sofronitsky and Horowitz, but Glemser does a fine job.



This is in my top 5 "best Scriabin CDs" list."