the works by Ravel and Scriabin that I have studied

Mike:

I will start with Ravel because I was able to find the Piece that I
learned  in College - although it is a shame that I don't have the
one that I had originally had with all the markings - but that's
water under the Bridge - isn't it.

About Scriabin - I'm having trouble even identifying which one
it is becasue I can't remember it - although after googling him -
I'm quite certain that it is one of his Poemes.  I'll work on tracking
it down and get back to you to that one.
~~~

One of the Pieces that I played for my Senior Recital - and what a
joke that was folks - is Ravel's Sonatine.

Ravel's Sonatine is in Three Movements.

1,  Moderate - gentle and expressive

 ~this movement begins in 3 sharps and ends in 6 sharps

~because most of the measures contain 32nd notes it gives
the appearance of being fast

~the dynamic markings range from ppp (at the end) to ff at one
point - but in general it is meant to be soft - mild sounding

~there are slight tempo changes that keep it from being boring

As I recall this first movement was the one I played the best out
of the Three.

2.  The second movement is in the style of a Minuet.

~it is in 5 flats

~again Ravel goes anywhere from ppp to forte at the end

~Ravel really gives us a workout in this movement - going from
the 5 flats on the first page - to 3 sharps for three lines - then back
to 5 flats for three lines -  four sharps for two lines - and then makes
up his mind and the last four measures are definitely in 5 flats.  : ]

~the tempo marking indicates that Ravel wants the last four measures
played 'very slow'  and even slower in the last two measures - at which
time he doens't segue into the third movement - but rather 'holds.'


takin' a break here before the last movement - whew.