Sonata No. 8 (Scriabin)
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The eighth piano sonata written by Scriabin is labeled opus 66 and was written in 1912-1913. The piece is atonal like Scriabin's other late works, although it is arguably less dissonant than his other late sonatas. This piece is regarded as one of Scriabin's most musically difficult pieces. It is more pages of music than any other of his piano works, and many parts of the piece are written on three and four staves, as opposed to the typical two staves, to accommodate the intertwined themes. The character of the Eighth Sonata is less pronounced than that of the Sixth and Seventh. There are fewer aggressive dissonances and no violent climaxes, and there are scarcely any explicative markings. Scriabin saw some parts of this sonata, which he never performed in public, as 'the most tragic episode of my creative work', and described its harmony as 'drawn from nature, as if it had existed before'.
(The above taken from decca liner notes - This 'Universe' Sonata is much greater than this page suggests. As Tolsoy & many great pianists know, Scriabin was a musical genius, fully realized, and the 8th Sonata is perhaps the greatest, at least one of the very greatest, of his extraordinary works. That which is written below also, afraid to say, and with all due respect, inaccurate (& also partially recycled from liner notes) & is without understanding of the music. Scriabin's vision of this piece was the expression of universal elemental forces, and their interaction. When played well, transports the sensitive listener to great depths/heights. This was the last sonata Scriabin completed; the 9th & 10th finished beforehand. For those who can hear, no explanation is necessary. Truly a mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the Spirit (Paraphrase of LV Beethoven)). CC
The eighth sonata begins quite serene, almost uncomfortably serene. This languid episode deciduates quite quickly into an agitated, very chatty rhythm and melody. The piece moves along with quite some energy, as if it is pushed by a creative and inspired force. There are none of the characteristic instructions common in Scriabin's other late sonatas. The furthest he goes is the word "Tragique" to indicate moments in the music of an almost distressed apathy and futility. This sonata seems almost experimental, even by Scriabin's standards. It is extremely pastiche; some sections of the piece seem to be sewn together arbitrarily as in the section titled 'presto' which begins with staccato chords bouncing away from the previous theme. There are moments of serenity, but a large portion of the music seems contagiously urgent and enthused with extreme energy.
Scriabin never performed the sonata in public.
A typical performance is about 12-14 minutes.
