Thanks frogman for your appreciation which means much to me...
This is my favorite version of the same piece of Richter by the greatest Scriabin disciple (who wed his daughter) Sofronitsky. I was not a fan of Scriabin till i heard him. After Scriabin became one of my musical god. ( Josquin des Prez. Bach,Brucker,Scriabin)
As an anecdote Richter and Gilels were the young disciple of Sofronitsky and some night drunk with their master they heard him saying you are geniuses but they protested to him claiming he was anyway a god...
The expressive power of Sofronitsky is unmatched save by few like Heinrich Neuhaus and his son Stanislas,Igor zhukov, and surprizingly but badly recorded the Italian master Michael PontI . I say that because in my experience almost nobody can play Scriabin as it should. We cannot whistle Scriabin then playing it suppose an understanding of each chord meaning very few are able to understand with the heart and hands.Id you did not enter ecstasy listening Scriabin it is because of the pianist not Scriabin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_OcCeVVdZE&list=RDK_OcCeVVdZE&start_radio=1
Fantastic post, @mahgister ! It is generally acknowledged that Jazz, at its most basic, is a blend of African rhythmic elements and European harmony. As you suggest, in the absence of time/rhythm, however obtuse (“Rite….” is a good example), harmony becomes almost pointless.
Thanks for the “The Bad Plus” clip, @acman3 . One of the best “non traditional” takes on “Rite of Spring” that I have heard; and there are many.
It should be noted that Russian and French musical traditions are closely intertwined. Both Stravinsky and Scriabin were heavily influenced by French musical ideas and traditions; particularly Russia’s ballet tradition (“Rite…”). It was common for French musicians of note to be “imported” to Russia to teach Russian students.
Sounds rather French to me, not to mention simply beautiful: