Alexander Scriabin and the 'Mystic Chord'

Pianist, teacher, and composer Rick Ferguson discusses and performs the music of Alexander Scriabin. Rick performs two preludes of Alexander Scriabin:
Prelude Opus 11 #13
Prelude Opus 67 #1
Learn more about Rick Ferguson at rickfm.com
Scriabin developed his 'Mystic Chord' as a response to the Theosophical teachings of Madame Blavatsky. This fascinating composer and pianist was born in Moscow in 1872. His orchestral music is noted for its unusual harmonies through which he sought to explore musical symbolism.
This video contains "Désir Op. 57 no. 1" from • Alexander Scriabin pla...

[@OutOfWards]

Of all composers, Scriabin and Ligeti are two composers I wish I could compose like. Their minds just executing reality as it's developing. Thank you for making this, and we're looking forward to watching/listening the follow-up!

[@MrRick5461]

Thank you...I'm actually working on some Ligeti pieces at present. Couldn't agree more! Here's the follow-up video...enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4nEn4J7iq5lnrM

[@TheMonsterExplorers]

I’m writing a paper on Scriabin! This was very helpful! Thanks!

[@lindasparks9566]

wonderful way to begin my tuesday morning.... thanks!

[@5riverboat]

Well done! I am a relative newcomer when it comes to exposure to Scriabins' ouevre, thank God I am aware of the depth and genius of his artistic output. I am particularly enthralled re: his mysticism and your presentation outlining the use of his 'mystic chord' was excellent! Keep up the superb work!

[@norwalltino]

Great lesson and performing😎

[@Ivan_1791]

Very interesting to hear about that philosophic theory of art being a spectrum. Scriabin is the composer who inspires me the most with my own compositions even if my style might not be so similar.

[@shoshog4647]

I loved your video thanks for the information

[@MrRick5461]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@davidl8094]

Well done. Thanks..

[@robertflynn6686]

Chopin and now Scriabine are my favorite. Started on chopin at 12. But later on now am interested in Scriabine. The nineth sonata may be based on mystic 7th or 9th. Chords and number of the sonata correlates. Not sure. He had arm and hand injury preventing him from playing his own work I heard. Rach . Would do it. Believe it or not that was first time I ever heard Scriabin play. What a treat thanks.

[@MrRick5461]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, Robert. Yes, those last two sonatas are, in many ways, the highpoint of Scriabin's fusion of his musical/spiritual beliefs... because they're such personal works. Just incredible music!

[@bharatc.sampat6406]

Wonderful Wonderful. Thanks. Please discuss and enlighten on Chopin’s contributions which were misrepresented as small or irrelevant by many. Why.

[@sktnfs]

Great and informative video, hope to see more!

[@niccolopaganini3638]

nobody has played "desire" better than Scriabin himself.

[@djbizmuth6640]

Thank you for sharing this information. What an interesting composer! I’m looking forward to your deeper discussion on ‘Prometheus’.

[@prestopiano88]

Great content!

[@rosehouse4402]

Wonderful! Do you still plan to do the follow-up video?

[@MrRick5461]

Yes indeed! I recently explored Beethoven's exploration of the Prometheus myth and am currently digging into Scriabin's 'Poem of Fire'. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Thank you!

[@janetalexander3714]

Very interesting...thank you!. Very "bright" harmonies.

[@johnlewis2707]

Turned off after a couple of minutes because of the continual background music ! Why have it while you are talking??

[@ContrapuntalComposer]

From the sound of it, I have to wonder whether "Desire" had some basis in Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde". Hmmm....

[@jonathanwirth1109]

💡😀✅

[@monsterlove2323]

The background music while talking is annoying, regardless of what it is.

[@mysticmouse7261]

Poem of Ecstasy is musical cocaine.

[@MichalDirer]

nobody seems cares here that u r talking about different prelude... This is G flat major.

[@2giantmonsters]

If you 'quote' music, isnt that plagiarism?

[@MrRick5461]

Thank you for your question. Scriabin's music is in the public domain...so no conflicts there.

[@levonkeijner1092]

i don't consider it to be. a melody can be harmonized and expanded upon in a million ways, it would be a waste of music to have every melody only in a single composition. plus it can work as an homage to the original composer, or even expand upon it in a theme and variations from.

[@mysterium364]

Artists should be allowed to do whatever they want.

[@2giantmonsters]

@@mysterium364 I see no fault in finding influence in another’s work. But lifting it directly doesn’t make one an artist.

[@angkhangnguyen5017]

@@2giantmonsters good artists copy, great artists steal

[@Rene-uz3eb]

Tbh though I recall I thought I heard some rare pieces by Scriabin that I liked, none of his better known stuff does anything to me, I think he’s overrated.