In the decade before the First World War, the Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev left his mark on Parisian theatre and musical life. Even then, the City of Light was a melting pot of decadence, impressionism, cubism, occultism and whatnot. The unknown Skriabin was introduced. Fyodor Chaliapin (Feodor Chaliapin) excelled as Boris Godunov. Young composers like Stravinsky and Prokofiev started their
… world fame. Stravinsky's Le Sacre Du Printemps would change music history forever. Pianist Daniil Trifonov shows this world on the album Silver Age. Chronologically speaking, there's a bit of colouring outside the lines. Prokofiev's Eighth Sonata belongs to a completely different world. It doesn't matter, because Trifonov's clout is impressive anyway. As far as that is concerned, the last work, Skrjabin's intimate Piano Concerto, comes almost as a relief. In 1896 it took 24-year-old composer only a week to pen down this poetic jewel. (HJ)more
