What is scriabin sonata 8?

Scriabin's Sonata No. 8, Op. 66, was composed in 1913 and is considered one of his most challenging works. The sonata is in four movements and has a total playing time of approximately 12-15 minutes.

The first movement, marked Allegro agitato, is characterized by rapid, tense rhythms and chromaticism. The second movement, marked Allegro, is a scherzo-like section with a playful and rhythmically complex theme. The third movement, marked Lento, is the emotional heart of the sonata and features a lyrical, expressive melody. The final movement, marked Allegro, returns to the aggressive and dissonant style of the first movement, with moments of frenetic speed and power.

Scriabin's use of harmony and tonality in the sonata is highly unconventional, especially for its time, and displays his developing interest in mysticism and transcendent experiences. The work has been described as a journey from chaos to enlightenment, with the final movement representing a moment of spiritual revelation.

The sonata has been recorded by many notable pianists, including Vladimir Horowitz, Sviatoslav Richter, and Martha Argerich, among others.