Scriabin Piano Sonatas; Quatre Morceaux etc

Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano) Decca 452 9612

This is a very important recording, but it is surprisingly little known, especially among non-pianists. The tense sonatas (which Scriabin composed between 1892-1913) show a fascinating development from a late-romantic style to a highly personal modern style. I think it is one of the most impressive cycles of piano music; it has an enormous range of sound colours, vibrant energy and almost addictive harmonies.

Raphaela Gromes’s latest album, ‘Imagination’, is out now on Sony Classical