Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915), an innovative and cosmopolitan pianist-composer from turn-of-the-century Russia, is a fascinating and mysterious figure. A close friend of Rachmaninoff, the two musicians studied together at the Moscow Conservatory, but Scriabin quickly discovered his own, distinctive path.  The composer drew his broad and eclectic literary, aesthetic, and philosophical ideas from many sources, but a deep interest in Indian philosophy was foremost among them. This is undoubtedly part of the reason why he is so misunderstood, and sometimes even denigrated today: he was inspired by ideas that are unfortunately inaccessible and even unknown to many in the West.

As is apparent in this extraordinary commentary by Simon Nicholls, these reactions do a great injustice to the composer. With his colleague, Michael Pushkin, Simon has translated Scriabin's own writings into English for a new book, The Notebooks of Alexander Skryabin. To understand Scriabin, Simon exhorts us to turn to the composer's own words. They reveal, not only one of the great luminaries of our musical past, but also an artist with a profound and sincere desire to uplift his fellow human beings. Dare to be free, his music seems to say - dare to dream and think differently! An episode about a great composer and musician, and an inspiring non-conformist. 

Special music credits:

This episode features excerpts from Scriabin's second piano sonata ("Sonata-Fantasy," Opus 19), performed by Vladimir Sofronitsky.