Catalyst

The catalyst is that single gesture, possibly unintentional, that changes the tract forever. It dawned on me, while puttering my way through the early preludes of Alexander Scriabin, that some passages in these earlier works forshadow a new path. Most of these early compositions sound impressionistic, or a bit like the works of Chopin, but there are also some glimmering hints of a new musical language. I am trying to imagine what it was like for Scriabin to turn away from an already established musical language towards unchartered sonic territory. His ambition and bravery in this respect is truly inspiring; and although he hung on to some standard musical forms like Sonata form for example, one cannot deny that he created a completely new and evocative musical atmosphere. Scriabin was also interested in alchemy and the occult, which is evident in the organic structure and primal sounds of his work, not to mention his almost fetishistic mathematical obsession. He also was afflicted with synethesia, a condition in which one sees colors directly corresponding to certain key signatures. For example; D flat Major representing a golden color. When you listen to his later works you get a sense that he is in direct contact with the sounds; sounds not at structural elements, but sounds as themselves. I think this is something that was very new to the musical landcape. So at the end of this year I salute Alexander Scriabin, for his bold sensitivity and for setting out on a path alone without any map or guide to find his way. I hope that 2008 will see artists following in his example. There are still many roads yet untravelled, though they are a bit more clandestine in our time. Happy New Year my friends.