Do You Think Scriabin is Underrated?

[Simula]

There is no such thing as a composer whose every work is liked.

[mc ukrneal]

There is no such thing as a composer whose every work is liked.

For you....

[Monsieur Croche]

Yes, there are lots of composers, but not lots with the quality of Scriabin.

Yes
~ there are very few people who are so neurotic and imbalanced that they are one and a half steps away from being readily certifiable as in-patient for a psychiatric ward who can still function and compose pretty well, ~
you are right, there

[Monsieur Croche]

There is no such thing as a composer whose every work is liked.

Evidently, you have not checked in with the mono obsessed:
Bach Nutters' Societies
Mozart Nutters' Societies
Beethoven Nutters' Societies
Wagner Nutters' Societies

I'm sure I've omitted far more than several other Composer X  Nutters' Societies as well....

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Evidently, you have not checked in with the mono obsessed:
Bach Nutters' Societies
Mozart Nutters' Societies
Beethoven Nutters' Societies
Wagner Nutters' Societies

I'm sure I've omitted far more than several other Composer X  Nutters' Societies as well....

I think some people here are members of a havergal brian nutter's society but I could be wrong.

[Monsieur Croche]

I think some people here are members of a Havergal Brian nutters' society but I could be wrong.

I have the same shudder-inducing feeling myself ;-)

[Mandryka]

^^
Interesting you say because I happen to hear Schoenberg's Op 11, as heavily similar to Scriabin.

Yes, I can hear why - does anyone know if there's a real connection?

[vandermolen]

I'm interested in this thread as I'm currently researching to write a CD booklet note for a forthcoming CD of Symphony 1 and Poem of Ecstasy. The Symphony 1 is my favourite work by Scriabin although I'm not so sure about the last movement with its vocal setting of the composer's poem.

[Mister Sharpe]

Some excellent points in this thread.  Simula's concern that Scriabin is underrated is the natural expression of his love for that composer (I share it - he's in my top twenty).  Of course, expecting the world to assent to one's enthusiasms is not esp. favorable for mental health... There are some here who may consider him overrated!   

Still, where on the spectrum of great composers does Scriabin fall?  Dunno where Casey Kasem ranks him this week (er, yes, this reference indicates my skepticism of such things) but I think Grove, if only by default, can be relied on here to offer a balanced (or 'generally accepted') view : "While his major orchestral works have fallen out of and subsequently into vogue, his piano compositions inspired the greatest of Russian pianists to give their most noteworthy performances...The cycle of ten sonatas is arguably of the most consistent high quality since that of Beethoven and acquired growing numbers of champions throughout the 20th century...Skryabin is the most representative composer of the Russian Silver Age, arguably one of the most remarkable periods in the development of human culture."  This is high praise.  Clearly, he is viewed as a Major Composer and to be cited in the same sentence as Beethoven impressive proof of that.

If more is needed, it's worth remembering that upon the shifting sands of music appreciation, Schubert was not generally valued until the 20th century, and I believe his star rises still.  Simula, if he wants, can swing into action and join any of the many Scriabin societies one of whose goals is to further appreciation of him.  Or encouraging performances locally, or buying great performances of Scriabin on CD and giving them to public libraries to spread the word. (I've done that with work I wanted others to hear). 

[Mister Sharpe]

I'm interested in this thread as I'm currently researching to write a CD booklet note for a forthcoming CD of Symphony 1 and Poem of Ecstasy. The Symphony 1 is my favourite work by Scriabin although I'm not so sure about the last movement with its vocal setting of the composer's poem.

So, how are you going to spell his name?

[Simula]

If one listens to the expression of modern composers in contrast to Scriabin, one can easily hear that Scriabin actually had something to say!

[Karl Henning]

If one listens to the expression of modern composers in contrast to Scriabin, one can easily hear that Scriabin actually had something to say!

Oh, I'm feelin' the love.

[Mandryka]

If one listens to the expression of modern composers in contrast to Scriabin, one can easily hear that Scriabin actually had something to say!

What did he have to say?

I mean, in those late pieces, things like Vers la Flamme, you kind of feel there's an idea in there trying to get out - I don't mean a musical idea.

Another composer who has something to say is Nono.

[Mister Sharpe]

Oh, I'm feelin' the love.

[Simula]

Oh, I'm feelin' the love.

Yes but you are mistaken my friend, we do not love the music of Scriabin because we love Scriabin, we love Scriabin because he wrote such quality music.   

[vandermolen]

So, how are you going to spell his name?

Not too sure! How do you suggest? Like 'Miaskovsky' (my preference) or 'Myaskovsky' (the CD company's preference). I think I'd go for 'Skryabin' but I'll gave to do what they want as it should be a uniform spelling.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Yes but you are mistaken my friend, we do not love the music of Scriabin because we love Scriabin, we love Scriabin because he wrote such quality music.   

Well we also love karlhenning

[James]

I do. I think he was a composer of original creativity and uniqueness. Because his taste was so eccentric I think his genius has been smothered because people pay attention to the wrong thing. What do you think?

I'd say he's rated just right, with important works to his credit .. . he'd definitely make a list of let's say 200 of the most significant composers in the history of western music.

[Jo498]

I am not an expert, but I'd also say he his rated about right. In any case he fares much better as far as performances and recordings of renowned artists go  than many other composers between late romanticism and modernism, e.g. Medtner, Reger, Pfitzner, Busoni, Roussel, Miaskowsky and many others.
This is probably mainly due to the piano works regularly played by famous pianists.

[Mister Sharpe]

Not too sure! How do you suggest? Like 'Miaskovsky' (my preference) or 'Myaskovsky' (the CD company's preference). I think I'd go for 'Skryabin' but I'll gave to do what they want as it should be a uniform spelling.

Can readily understand why a CD company would want consistency within their own product line.  If Grove sez Skryabin it's good enough for me.  I often marveled at the French Scriabine , until I realized they must add the 'e' to make certain the 'n' is pronounced. Now Miaskovsky, there's an underrated composer for Mr. Simula, and whose cause deserves taking up.  In the forties in the U.S. he would be mentioned in the same breath as Rach and Tchaik.  Now even classical fans don't recognize his name.  Better to have been loved and lost? Unsure about that...

Didja' see the article about Nikolai Fedorovich Federov in the Jan. issue of Harper's?  Can scan and send if you're interested. I believe there is a kind of quintessentially Russian, cosmological link between him and Skryabin.