Release Date
Original Release
August 15, 1996
0h 58m
Alexander Scriabin – Towards the Light / Calculation and Ecstasy (1996)
Overview
Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915) born in Moscow, was an innovative, mystical, avant-garde Russian pianist and composer. This film explores Scriabin’s profound vision of art's unity — where music, movement, light and colour merge to create transcendent experiences. Some claim Scriabin pioneered atonality before Schoenberg. Key works: Poème, Op. 32 No. 1 (1903) and Vers la flamme, Op. 72 (1914). Featuring commentary from esteemed musicians like Eduard Artemyev, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Vladimir Horowitz, Artist: Hermann Nitsch, conductor Mikhail Pletnev and insights from Scriabin’s daughter: Marina Scriabine, this documentary offers a unique glimpse into the life and works of one of music’s most enigmatic figures. Shot across stunning locales in Switzerland, Italy and Russia, enriched with Scriabin’s own writings and rare archival materials. The highlight includes a historic recording of Scriabin himself, playing his Poem Op. 32 No. 1 on a Welte Mignon player-piano, recorded in 1908.
Director
Oliver Becker
Department: Writing
Cast
Hermann Nitsch
Himself
Vladimir Horowitz
Himself
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Himself
Mikhail Pletnev
Himself
Sergey Rachmaninoff
Himself
Ivan Wyschnegradsky
Himself
Eduard Artemyev
Himself
