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Op.74 - 5 Preludes

Untitled, Jean Delville 1883.
Untitled, Jean Delville 1883.

Last musical production of Scriabin, ending as it began — in the form of preludes. Divided into five pieces:

No.1 - Doloroso, sconvolgente

No.2 - Molto lento, contemplativo

No.3 - Allegro drammatico

No.4 - Lento, vago, indeciso

No.5 - Orgoglioso, bellicoso

A new musical world, post-apocalyptic — “Like breathing the air of another planet” (Schönberg). The first is painful and wandering, reminiscent of the expressionist anguish in Alban Berg. The second is a sinister, meditative walk over an obstinate low bell tone. It was the favourite piece of his last companion, Tatyana de Schloezer. The third is like a disturbed scream, troubled by an impending threat. The fourth is slow, vague, close to Schönberg’s lyricism. The last is imperious — bursts of assault and vital impulse: Scriabin’s final gesture — full of will.

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