Alexander Scriabin Etudes

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) was a symbolist Russian composer of the turn of the 20th century. He underwent a steep stylistic progression from his early Chopinesque works to his futuristic compositions of 1910s. Piano was Scriabin’s main medium. It was on this instrument where he made significant musical discoveries, experimenting with harmonies and special sound effects and creating inimitable sonorities, impressions and characters. The etude was one of Scriabin’s essential compositional genres. From his earliest Op. 2 No. 1 in C-Sharp Minor (1887) to the final three, Op. 65 (1911-12) which bordered on atonality, Scriabin penned 26 etudes, each of which presents innovative pianistic ideas. Dr. Rachmanov will follow the development of Scriabin’s etudes, giving an overview and highlighting a few with an in-depth look into their structure and character.