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04/29/2018
“The Final Recital”
Alexander Scriabin: Prélude, opus 35, n° s 1 and 2 – Prélude, opus 37, n° s 1, 2, 3, 4 – Prélude, opus 39, n° 3 – Mazurka, opus 25, n° 4 – Etude, opus 8, n° 7 – Valse, opus 38 – Piano Sonata n° 3, opus 23 – Nuances, opus 56, n° 3 – Danse languide, opus 51, n° 4 – Prélude, opus 74, n° s 1, 2, 4 – Guirlandes, opus 73, n° 1 – Flammes sombres, opus 73, n° 2 – Etrangeté, opus 63, n° 2 – Piano Sonata n° 4, opus 30
Jeremy Thompson (piano)
Recording: Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (May 22-23, 2015) – 65’57
MSR Classics MS 1669 – Booklet in English
 
This extremely ample and satisfying recording is first reflected through MSR Classics’ physical presentation: we’re welcomed with Wassily Kandinsky’s 1914 Improvisation “Gorge” on the front cover. Within the Muscovite’s four-sided panel lies a plethora of muzzy thoughts and brightly colored abstractions. What better way to introduce us to Alexander Scriabin’s programme final than to have pianist Jeremy Thompson reveal his musical colloquy, honoring the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2015.
Active as a recitalist and concerto soloist, Jeremy Thompson crafts the 1927 Steinway piano into his own lyrical patois. This New Brunswick native, both humble and sincere, gives Alexander Scriabin’s music fair flair without being overwrought with indulgent extravagances.
During the short live span of 43, Alexander Scriabin’s musical vision widely morphed. Jeremy Thompson honors the Russian’s precise format, an equitable construction of two chapters, each detailing short pieces of contrasting color [akin to Kandinsky’s “Gorge”] anchored by a conclusive Sonata. M. Thompson’s interpretive skills give “The Final Recital” a prosodic limpidness that well encapsulates Scriabin’s arresting life span.
Jeremy Thompson’s perspectives in fond freshness can be transcribed as a synesthetic sojourn, similar to Alexander Scriabin’s momentous introspection when he performed his Piano Sonata n° 3.
This MSR Classics delivery is glowing and fulfilling.
Christie Grimstad
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