James Kreiling is a pianist, writer, transcriber and teacher.

He specialises in cross-arts collaboration and the music of Scriabin.

‘None of this would be significant if he were not also a pianist with the necessary technique to command these often very technically challenging works and able to convey their mystery, power and beauty. I immediately noticed the refinement of his sound, how often Scriabin asks for pianissimo or even ppp and how precisely these dynamic indications are observed. Kreiling also uses the sustaining pedal lightly and well, so that the sound shimmers and glows without getting muddy. His leggiero passages – and there are many of them – are fantastically light and airy. He can layer the texture, so that the theme comes out despite lots of filigree decoration above and grumbling bass below. He is not fazed by the polyrhythms. The way he plays the descending figures of fourths in the eighth sonata has to be heard to be believed.’

From a review of ‘Scriabin: Complete Late piano music’, Stephen Barber - Music Web International

“I wish you music to help with the burdens of life, and to help you release your happiness to others.”

Ludvig Van Beethoven

Upcoming Performances

 

17th January 2022

Scriabin and Rachmaninoff
Overseas House, London

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24th January 2022

Scriabin and Rachmaninoff
Overseas House, London

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2nd March 2022

Late Scriabin Sonatas
University of Liverpool

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Scriabin: Complete late Piano Music

Recorded in 2015 and 2017 and released by Odradek in 2019, these two discs received a five star review in BBC Music Magazine and present Scriabin’s complete piano music from the Fifth Piano Sonata to the Op. 74 Preludes.