Étude in C-sharp minor, Op. 2, No. 1 (Scriabin)

Étude in C-sharp minor, Op. 2, No. 1, is an étude for piano, written by Russian composer Alexander Scriabin in 1887.^[1]

Alexander Scriabin

Background

This étude was written in 1887, when Scriabin was just 16 years old. It was the first of the Three Pieces, Op. 2, and was one of Scriabin's earliest successes.^[1]

Analysis

The first few bars of Scriabin's Étude Op. 2 No. 1

Étude Op. 2 No. 1 is in 3/4 time and is in the key of C-sharp minor.

The melody is poignant and heartfelt, showing many characteristics of Russian Gypsy music^{[citation needed]}. It is accompanied by repeated chords in both hands, featuring rich harmonies, inner voices, and large spreads in the left hand. The dynamics of the piece are varied constantly to display emotion and passion and to add interest. The piece features many key changes but finally concludes in the original key. Although it is a slow and somber piece, like many other études it is considerably difficult to perfect^{[citation needed]}.

This étude lasts for about three minutes.^[1][2][3]

Recordings

Pianist	Duration	Record Label	Recording Date	Album
Vladimir Horowitz[4]	02:39	Deutsche Grammophon	1986	Horowitz in Moscow
Shura Cherkassky[5]	03:24	London Records	1982	Encores
Vladimir Horowitz	03:04	Sony Classics	mid 1960s?	Horowitz plays Scriabin
Sviatoslav Richter[6]	02:51	Melodiya	1952	Richter
Burkard Schliessmann	03:20	Bayer Records	1990	Alexander Scriabin, Piano Works

See also

• List of compositions by Alexander Scriabin