Leonid Sabaneyev - 5 Esquisses, Op.14 (Schäfer)

I. Lento 0:00 II. Impetuoso 3:12 III. Vivo 5:27 IV. Tumultoso 6:46 V. Maestoso 8:02 Sabaneyev&5 Esquisses were written before the colossal Op.15 Sonata "in the memory of Scriabin", in 1914. "I have always wanted my music to express a certain feeling of ‘going beyond boundaries.’ " he wrote in 1924. The five esquisses certainly provoke that feeling. One might say the pieces were influenced by Scriabin, but the influence here is only superficial, and much less noticeable than Sabaneyev&previous works; the atmosphere suggests madness instead of ecstasy, and the climaxes are "rather manic than apotheosic". These little pieces in fact resemble what would then become Sabaneyev&unique style and language, derived from artificial chords, (one example of them being the minor chord with an added in the bass) and scales, which will then appear in his late works such as the Passcaglia (or Chaconne) and Fugue for piano and the unrecorded, titanic, Oratorio: "Apocalypse". 1. "Lento" is a macabre quasi-funeral march, with sudden climaxes in the upper register of the keyboard. 2. "Impetuoso" is a chaotic poem of rage, with jumping heavy chords, constantly changing dynamics and a calm conclusion. 3. "Vivo" is based on an ostinato figuration which reminds of Scriabin&volando passages. The sounds are cataclysmic, tormented, sublime. 4. "Tumultoso" despite its brevity it is a devastating piece, with its colossal arpeggios and cascades of thirds, bringing the truly apocalyptic atmosphere...