Customer Reviews

Scriabin - Symphonies Nos.1-3 · Le Poème de l'extase · Promethée, le poème du feu / Stefania Toczyska · Michael Myers · Dmitri Alexeev · Riccardo Muti

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Winner of BBC-3's "Building A Library" shootout on 5 April 2008. Reviewer William Mival made a very convincing case for the superiority of this recording. His runner-up was a very different interpretation by Evgeny Svetianov and the USSR State Symphony Orchestra. Get both then hear the wide range of valid interpretations possible with this Scriabin masterpiece.

Riccardo Muti has been dedicated to this repertoire for a long time. I even heard him give an interview on the radio where he talks about Scriabin being the next Mahler! Scriabin's time will come and he will be popular like the formerly underappreciated Mahler is nowadays. That's what Muti said! I doubt that. As unique as Scriabin's music is, it's not as interesting or as multi-faceted as Mahler. I do tend to think Mahler is overplayed and over-recorded nowadays and if more conductors were to be advocates for Scriabin like Muti, it can only lead to a richer musical world for everyone.

These five symphonies, or really 3 symphonies and two wild tone poems are pure fin de siecle orgasms. Slithering harmonies, lush orchestration, decadent, exotic sound worlds. A mystical experience. One critic described the Poem of Ecstasy as a cocaine ice bath and this Muti performance nails that description. One thing you absolutely need to have for this kind of music is rich sound quality. Luckily EMI does Scriabin and Muti proud, capturing the sensational playing of the famous Philadelphia Orchestra. It's this of kind delicious music making that harkens back to the days of Ormandy and even more so to Stokowski.

Stokowski recorded the Poem of Ecstasy several times but Muti surpasses him on account of the sound quality which is top of the line in every respect. In the first symphony, Muti luxuriates in the textures far more so than Jarvi or Ashkenazy, his Scriabin competitors. They have more propulsion in a couple of places but overall I would say that Muti's Scriabin is unsurpassed and not really challenged as far as a complete survey of this repertoire. If Scriabin's orchestral works intrigue you in any way, these recordings are indispensable.

These towerling performance of Scriabin's orchestral masterpieces remains as one of the greatest achievements by Muti and Philadelphia Orchestra. Especailly the third Symphony and Poem of Ecstasy surpass all existing recordings for its gorgeous sound, masterful timing of silence at crucial moments, gigantic finale and incandescent build-up to each climax. Only Pletnev's account of the Ecstasy can rival the grandeur. Ashkenazy's polite accounts do not come even close.

Other symphonies are equally outstanding too. The first symphony is hugely under-rated masterpiece, full of inspired melodies and superb vocal parts. What a shame Scriabin did not write more for voice! Rich Philadelphia sound is beautifully recorded with warmth and amazing dynamic range (The distortion is only slight due to the enormous force of the sound at the climax).

Born in Naples Italy in 1941, Riccardo Muti was a pupil of Arturo Votti and Nino Rota. Votti's teacher was none other than the great Arturo Toscanini. With this rich heritage of great conductors and creators of music, the young Maestro Muti had much to live up to. Many awards, recordings, and directorships later, I would say Riccardo Muti has done the tradition he was steeped in proudly.
This EMI three disc set of Scriabin's orchestral works is an awe inspiring example of the Philadelphia Orchestra in peak form, led by a great conductor. Leopold Stokowski and Eugene Ormandy would be proud to hear them sounding as glorious as they do in these recordings. Indeed, this set has classic status that is most well-deserved.
The sound of the strings are clearly delineated and soar to the heavens! These renderings contain heaps of atmosphere and passion. The other sections of the orchestra match the strings with fervent, blissful richness. This kaleidiscopic orchestral splendor is as French as it is Russian. Think of Debussy with more direct and exotic tonality. With more sensual dramatic indulgence and massive, carefully built climaxes. One can detect the Austro-German traditions influence on the music as well. In the final movement of Symphony #1, the chorus and soloists shine brightly. Scriabin's aim was to "blend philosophy and religion in an indivisible whole to form a new gospel, which will replace the old gospel we have outlived". But alas, "Mankind is not yet ready for it, for he must be preached to and led along new paths."
Wildly ambitious, self-aggrandising and heady beyond imagination, these wonderful performances are a perfect example of Alexander Scriabin's artistic vision.
If there was a six star rating I would give it for this set. It is an absolute classic. Bravo to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Riccardo Muti!

Muti is great with his Philadelphia Orchestra. The recordings are high quality, but at times can get digitally distorted in the climaxes. The interpratations have a strength and expansiveness. But I still give Ashkenazy my top recommendation on the wonderfully bargin priced Trio label. He tops Muti threefold in his power, profundity, and energy! Plus the digital sound beats is clearer and more realistic than on Muti's set.

Scriabin was a Theosophist, who studied the works of Madamme Blavatsky (great female mystic). His works come from a place of spirituality and mysticism. His are inspired by the worlds religions from a esoteric approach. I can only compare his musical sound world to Franz Schmidt or Cyril Scott. Scriabin's music is on the verge of atonality, very modern sounding for the early 1900's. He took on the philosophical views of Wagner and expanded upon them, trying to create a new artform, which he didn't fulfill due to his untimely death. Look for the recording of Scriabin's "Preparation for the Final Mystery" on Decca also conducted by Ashkenazy.

Scriabin's 5 symphonies open the door to much inspiration on Nature and the Divine. There is no doubt that you can only gain by listening to Scriabin. Muti is a great start, but Ashkenazy totally understands Scriabin!