Alexander Scriabin
Sonata 2 (Sonate-Fantaisie)
in G-sharp Minor, Op. 19
Scriabin based his second sonata on a seaside holiday, using the keyboard to paint the images of waves, seagulls, and ocean breezes.
Year: 1897
Period: Late Romantic
Piano score: Igumnov/Milstein edition 
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Scriabin at the Seaside
Scriabin based his second sonata on a seaside holiday, using the keyboard to paint the images of waves, seagulls, and ocean breezes for the listener. The andante section is introverted and lovely while the stormy second movement brings a storm to the fore. The crescendos and decrescendos have been described both as crashing waves and ebbing and rising winds. The sonata stays true to Scriabin’s combination of 19th-century Romanticism and 20th-century impressionism to create one of the most popular of his works.
The first part evokes the calm of a night by the seashore in the South; in the development we hear the sombre agitation of the depths. The section in E major represents the tender moonlight which comes after the first dark of the night. The second movement, presto, shows the stormy agitation of the vast expanse of ocean.
Background
Scriabin first experienced the sea on a trip to Latvia in 1892, and started to work on the second sonata soon after. Four years later, after Scriabin had performed the sonata several times, he told his publisher: “I have admittedly finished the sonata, yet I am completely dissatisfied with it, even though it has been revised seven times.” He wasn't able to finish it properly before his marriage to the pianist Vera Isacova in 1897, with whom he went on honeymoon to the Black Sea.Forum posts about this piece:
New piece suggestions? by liszt123
Hey! Just looking for some suggestions on what I should play next. I know this sounds kind of funny, but this summer, I want to learn a big piece before I head off to college. But, I suck at sight reading and...
Recital Repertoire by duanechen2001
Was wondering if anyone could offer some input on building out my senior recital. Have Scriabin Sonata 2 learned, and will perform for an hour in June. Am thinking of keeping it more romantic, and...
Scriabin's 2nd sonata... by Nanabush
Hey! It's been a while since I've posted here ;) I've recently begun playing Scriabin's second sonata (on the side); For the first movement, I generally have the notes...
1st Mvmnt. of Scriabin's sonata #2. by Chopiabin
Has anyone played it? I know it's a difficult piece, but I guess I want to know if it gets annoyingly tedious. I've always loved the Scriabin sonatas, and the second is beautiful - plus I think...
Scriabin - Advice on sonata No. 2 in G#m by exigence
Considering picking this up; currently play the famous D#m etude, the 11/14 prelude in Ebm, and a host of other things from other composers. I know the first movement can be easily butchered, but...
Why not Scriabin? by verwel
Yesterday, I was privileged to here Scriabin's 2th piano sonata (tremendously played by Elisabeth Leonskaja) and again it reinforced my believe that Scriabin was the most exiting, imaginative piano music...
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Alexander Scriabin, one of the prominent composers active in the Late Romantic era, has written this piece titled Sonata 2 Op. 19 in G-sharp Minor from Sonatas. The composition is categorized as "Sonata" in Piano Street's sheet music library and the level of difficulty is 8+.