Alexander Scriabin - Piano Studies

Many of Scriabin's (1872-1915) works are written for the piano; the earliest pieces resemble Frédéric Chopin and include music in many forms that Chopin himself employed, such as the etude, the prelude and the mazurka. Later works, however, are strikingly original, employing very unusual harmonies and textures.

Previously interested in Friedrich Nietzsche's "übermensch" theory, the Russian composer also became interested in Theosophy, and both would influence his music and musical thought. In 1909-1910 he lived in Brussels, becoming interested in Delville's Theosophist movement and continuing his reading of Hélène Blavatsky. (Numerous artists and thinkers were influenced by Theosophy [theos=god, sophos=wisdom, intelligence] at the time, e.g. the Russian painter W. Kandinsky and the Irish poet W.B. Yeats - both of whom I greatly admire.)

Scriabin in 1894: "During such nights, the mind is silent, that dreadful, analysing, critical and destructive intellect and it allows me, even if only for a brief moment, to abandon myself to reflective contemplation and peace. How much peace is necessary for today's spiritually exhausted and morally depleted human beings. And it often seems that it is nature herself, the gentle mother of mankind, who is in command of making sure that humans find rest. It is as if she were whispering: come to me, poor lost creature; cast the false cloak from your shoulders, give your soul the space it needs to breathe calmly and peacefully. I still have miraculous tales for you, I shall douse weary times with enchanting dreams."

And in 1897: "In the commotion of unchained elements, the soul struggles as though it were possessed by a real state of intoxication. From the depths of Existence rises the powerful voice of a demigod, whose song of victory is reverberated in a triumphant echo! But the soul is still too weak and before it reaches the top, it falls back down into the immeasurable depths of nothingness."

This collection of etudes is one of the first to be released in this kind of completeness. It brilliantly shows the high level of contrast between his early and late periods (harmony vs atonality). For the more interested among you, the internet provides more than adequate information on this extremely fascinating pianist and composer. Highly recommended!

Scriabin Vitaly Samoshko.rar

posted by Paxjorge @ Friday, June 02, 2006