American Record Guide

SCRIABIN: Piano Sonatas, all
Yakov Kasman—Calliope 3254 [2CD] 143 minutes

I have always found Alexander Scriabin's music exciting and thrilling. With his combination of Russian romanticism, mysticism, and harmonic ambiguity, Scriabin's scores are the ultimate musical adventure. This composer was absolutely merciless with his musical demands. His music needs superhuman players. Vladimir Horowitz was a master of this path-breaking composer's oeuvre. Alexander Gavrylyuk, the most recent winner of the Arthur Rubinstein Competition, also plays this repertory brilliantly. On records I found the almost unknown Matthew Bengtson to be remarkable (July/Aug). Now I can add Yakov Kasman to that elite list.
     Kasman was a Laureate of the Van Cliburn Competition several years ago. Like many Cliburn winners he has had mixed success playing the big romantic concerto repertory. If he can play Scriabin as well in concert as he does on this recording, he has found his forte. Having just heard a young competition winner lumber through the Third Sonata in concert, I began by listening to Kasman's rendition. It is simply stunning. His bravura technique, sense of the music's long arc, and dynamic variety are magnificent. In the other early sonatas Kasman's passion, power, and sheer over-the-top brilliance left this listener breathless. In the last three sonatas Kasman's sensitivity, ability to sustain the music's mystical stasis, and throbbing rhythmic tension are remarkable. The music's sudden violence and haunting repose hold no terrors for him. It would be hard to match these performances today.
     This recording has given me new respect for Kasman. These performances were recorded between 1996 and 2003. The sound has perfect concert hall perspective and wide range. Kasman has finally hit his artistic stride.

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