Scriabin: Symphony No. 2 & Piano Concerto

LAWO / 2017

Following on from the huge success of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (LWC1105), the Oslo Philharmonic and Vasily Petrenko again join forces on this new recording forming the next in their Scriabin series.

Critics were united in their praise for the previous recordings: “Lovely playing all round, with beautiful solos (woodwind particularly) and clean ensemble” (The Guardian). Scriabin’s Symphony Nos 3 & 4 (LWC1088) hailed similar praise: “everything in the Oslo performances seems to be moving the music forward, making its final destination utterly inevitable” (The Guardian); “The Poem of Ecstasy is heady stuff, brilliantly played” (The Sunday Times).

Lawo is delighted therefore to present the next in their Scriabin series, this time with Symphony No.2 coupled with his Piano Concerto op.20, performed by the talented pianist Kirill Gerstein. Pianist Kirill Gerstein’s curiosity and versatility has led to a powerful engagement with a wide range of repertoire and styles. From Bach to Adès, his playing is distinguished by its clarity of expression, discerning intelligence and virtuosity.

Gerstein’s energetic and imaginative musical personality has taken him rapidly to the top of his profession. Vasily Petrenko is one of the most acclaimed classical recording artists alive and has won numerous accolades for his recordings of Russian repertoire, including two Gramophone awards. With the Oslo Philharmonic, he has recorded Shostakovich and Szymanowski concertos, Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev and is in the process of recording a major new cycle of orchestral works by Alexander Scriabin, of which this release is the second in the series of three CDs.

Scriabin: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 29
I. Andante
II. Allegro
III. Andante
IV. Tempestoso
V. Maestoso

Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op. 20
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro moderato

“Petrenko is the ideal interpreter for this ripe overheated music…The Oslo Philharmonic responds with brilliantly incisive ensemble…Gerstein makes the most of Scriabin’s poetic writing with some particularly limpid sounds in the central Andante. As always, Petrenko proves to be the ideal concerto partner.” – BBC Music Magazine

“[Piano Concerto] Gerstein makes a strong case for it, his fluent technique reveling in the post- Chopinesque arabesques. The fragrant harmonies alongside the achingly Romantic melodies propel the first movement inexorably; the central Andante takes us to a place of great beauty, while holding a most intriguing digression. Vassily Petrenko directs a taut and noble performance of Scriabin’s Second Symphony, recorded in beautiful sound in the Oslo Concert Hall. An excellent disc.” – International Piano