Scriabin - Waltz in F minor Op.1 (with On-Screen Commentaries)

Work: Waltz in F minor Op.1 by Aleksandr Scriabin Performed by: PianoExplained Instrument: Yamaha P125 Digital Piano Aleksandr Nikolayevich Scriabin (1871 - 1915) was a Russian composer and pianist who wrote almost exclusively pieces for the orchestra and solo piano. Showing immense talent on the piano and in composition since a young age, Scriabin was characterized by his strong personality and desire to compose only what he liked without succumbing to academic and social pressure. Scriabin's development of style can be divided into 3 periods: early (until 1903, which, being an admirer of Chopin's music, largely follows conventions of the Romantic era), middle (1903 - 1907, which features much chromaticity, dissonance, unresolved chords), and late (1907 - 1915, where tonality is all but dissolved and his music displayed much flexibility and freedom of constraints). Written in 1886 when Scriabin was only 13, Waltz in F minor Op.1 was one of his earliest works. Reminiscent of Chopin's waltzes, this piece has given us a glimpse of Scriabin's inner desire to break free of the conventions of the Romantic era, employing many key modulations and frequent tempo changes. Even at such a young age, Scriabin was clearly aware that the melody does not always have to be the driver of the music, using the accompaniment to propel the music to the climax. The last three bars of the waltz are exceptionally flavourful, using an augmented 6th chord and resolving it to a tonic triad in the parallel major. It is almost as if he is teasing all audience that he has a lot more to show the world (and he does!). ______________________ Follow me on Instagram where I post uncommonly performed classical piano music:   / pianoexplained