The Brussels Philharmonic and conductor Kazushi Ono proudly present the new recording of Scriabin 3 on the Evil Penguin Classic label. With this performance, listeners have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the mystical world of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915).
Scriabin's Divine Vision
"I am God! I am nothing, I am play, I am freedom, I am life. I am the limit, I am the peak." These words by Alexander Scriabin from 1905 reflect his messianic vision of music. He regarded himself as a musical savior who would change, or even save, the world through his compositions. He saw his birthday, Christmas Day, as the ultimate sign of his calling.
In his three symphonies, Scriabin explored his radical musical vision with increasing intensity. The finale of his Third Symphony, better known as 'Le Poème Divin' (the divine poem), marks a turning point in his development as a composer. For the first time, he found light in music, a liberation and breathless bliss.
A Spiritual Evolution
Scriabin regarded his
Third Symphony, opus 43 as a musical visualization of the evolution of the human spirit. This symphony centers on the liberation of the human spirit, freed from the legends and mysteries of the past. The ultimate goal is the joyful and thrilling affirmation of freedom and unity with the universe.
Through this extra-musical dimension, the symphony is sometimes described as a symphonic poem in three movements. The alternative title 'Le Poème Divin' emphasizes the spiritual journey contained within the music.
A New Musical Language
To take his audience to another world, Scriabin developed an entirely new musical language. His grand and exceptionally colorful Third Symphony still stands with one foot in the nineteenth century, but also points forward to the changing tonalities of his later orchestral works.
The symphony consists of three continuous movements, which respectively depict the struggle between man and God (Luttes), the pleasures of a seductive passion (Voluptés) and a 'Jeu Divin' (divine play), in which the spirit surrenders to the turbulence and lightness of an unbounded existence.
A Monumental Performance
The recording of the Brussels Philharmonic under the direction of Kazushi Ono masterfully brings these rich musical layers to life. The orchestra demonstrates a deep understanding of Scriabin's complex musical world, while Ono's interpretation radiates a sense of transcendence and freedom.
This new recording of
Scriabin 3 is highly recommended for both seasoned classical music enthusiasts and newcomers who want to discover the intense and visionary sounds of Scriabin.
