Rarities of Piano Music, Husum 1990, vol. 2

Igor Shukow
The first piece to be heard is the Polonaise in B minor op. 21 which was composed in 1897.
This is taken from the opening concert performed by Igor Shukow, the reputed Skrjabin interpreter
who played the complete cycle of “The Seasons” by Peter Tschaikovsky in the first part of the
programme and in the second half Scriabin rarities such as the Fantasia op. 28, the waltz op. 38
and the Preludes op. 16.
This one and only polonaise by Scriabin is a transitional work composed between the early
period which was influenced by Chopin and the style from the middle period, for example,
the 3rd sonata and the mazurkas op. 25. That evening Shukow succeded in presenting a
breathtaking recital of this splendid piece which is hardly ever heard in the concert hall.
On the one hand, rarities of the record repertoire can be found here and, on the other hand,
individual piano pieces which otherwise lead a “hidden” existence in larger cycles and –
something which should not be forgotten – also provide many a precious gift for
the connoisseur. And is it not true that such a CD serves to broaden one’s horizon of ‘the curiosity
of a listener is aroused by listening to short “introductory pieces” and this whets his
appetite for further, larger works by the composer in question?