Overview
Introduction
The Four Preludes, Op. 48, show Scriabin's expressive language deepening, while also enlarging upon his eccentricities which, especially in some later compositions, can be both compelling and annoying. These preludes are not late efforts, however, and are thus generally free of the more extremist stylistic elements found in some of the final works.
Like virtually all his preludes, these are short and contain not a single instance of note-spinning. The half-minute F sharp major first prelude carries the very descriptive marking Impetuoso fiero, which effectively depicts the impetuous, fiery mood of the piece. In the score of the ensuing C major prelude, Scriabin also maps out the pianist's interpretive path with the marking Poetico con delizio (poetic with delight). Its mood calls to mind the ethereality in the first and several other of Prokofiev's 20 Visions Fugitives (1915 - 17).
The D major third prelude, again with a highly descriptive but also now Satie-esque marking -- Capricciosamente affannato (capriciously worried) -- is a dark, sort of wandering piece that grows less weird upon repeated hearings. The C major fourth prelude, bearing the description Festivamente, offers fine contrast to the previous item with its big chords and agitated grandiose manner.
These four works comprise one of the composer's shorter prelude collections, lasting about four minutes when performed together.
Parts/Movements
- No. 1, in F sharp major
- No. 2, in C major
- No. 3, in D flat major
- No. 4, in C major
