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Topic: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff (Read 422 times)

dizzyfingers

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Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

on: December 18, 2025, 03:01:00 PM

I had been wondering what the relationship between these two great composers was like in their student years, and afterward, knowing they attended the conservatory together - we they friends, keep a polite distance? Hate each other?
Lo and Behold, someone made a very good video about it:

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essence

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Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #1 on: December 18, 2025, 04:54:33 PM

Thank you, illuminating.

A bit like Steve Ovett v. Seb Coe.

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kosulin

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Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #2 on: December 18, 2025, 06:49:41 PM

They were considered wunderkinds, were friends during concervatory years, and have shown deep respect to each other. Which is a rare beast considering how diffeent their musical tastes were.
BTW they were classmates not only in concervatory, but before that as well - they both attended the same private music school.

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Vlad

dizzyfingers

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Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #3 on: December 19, 2025, 02:21:39 PM

Quote from: kosulin on December 18, 2025, 06:49:41 PM

... considering how diffeent their musical tastes were.

I think they both started out deeply inspired by the past. Scriabin admired Chopin. And Rachmanoninoff was solidly anchored in the Tchaikovsky Russian tradition? The difference is in how they evolved. Scriabin was experimental and visionary, looking for a new music to express his ideas. Rachmaninoff was content to remain traditional. There is a quote to the effect that he wanted the common man to understand his music.

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essence

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Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #4 on: December 19, 2025, 03:05:56 PM

I have always thought Chopin was much more futuristic than is commonly thought. For example his op 62 no 1 nocturne, or even the middle section of op 18 no 2, seem to look forward to Debussy.

But then Scriabin himself went much further than Debussy in his explorations, and looked forward to Messiaen. Birds or insects, take your pick.

Of course, being innovative is not the only mark of a genius composer.

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lelle

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Posts: 2660

Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #5 on: December 19, 2025, 11:38:19 PM

Scriabin went batshit crazy you mean

And I agree Chopin was pretty innovative for his day - and instantly recognizable, something many, many composers cannot claim.

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thorn

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Re: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

Reply #6 on: December 20, 2025, 01:13:49 PM

Quote from: essence on December 19, 2025, 03:05:56 PM

But then Scriabin himself went much further than Debussy in his explorations, and looked forward to Messiaen. Birds or insects, take your pick.

This is also an interesting topic, perhaps needing a different thread. As far as I know the only time Scriabin and Debussy were in the same room was when Scriabin attended a performance of Debussy conducting La Mer. I don't know if this was when Scriabin was in Paris (1907-9) or when Debussy was in Russia (1913). But both composers idolised Chopin, and Debussy admired the same Russian composers that Scriabin grew up with. While they went in different directions (don't personally think it's useful to talk about who "went further" as both were unique) they pretty much came from the same place.

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Topic: Classmates: Scriabin and Rachmaninoff (Read 422 times)

Piano Street Magazine:The Crucible of Keys: A Century of Glory and Grit at the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition

Piano Street Magazine:
A Free Grand Piano? – Scammers Target Piano Enthusiasts

Piano Street Magazine:
The Crucible of Keys: A Century of Glory and Grit at the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition