PT Journal
AU Keprt, M
TI Concerning the Musical Symbolisation of Flight within A. N. Scriabin's Compositions
SO Musicologica Olomucensia
PY 2014
BP 29
EP 40
VL 19
IS 1
DI 10.5507/mo.2014.002
DE Scriabin; symbolism; music of Russia
AB The symbol of 'flight' is of key importance in the works of A. N. Scriabin. It appears both in his poems (Poeme de l'Extase, Acte prealable) and his compositions with regard to melody, rhythm and texture. Such melody is typified by a spiral direction which ascends higher and higher. It usually contains a large leap melodic upwards (mostly minor sixth) followed by a countermovement. A dotted rhythm with take-off, like a pause for an "intake of breath" is frequently used, as well as a pause at the end of a triplet figure. Within the scope of rhythm and texture 'flightness' is shown by typical accompanying figures. Their main feature is how it begins on the highest note with a subsequent descending melody. The lowest bass note is on a weak beat followed by a big melodic leap up to a strong beat. At the micro-gestural level, 'flightness' is expressed by gestural figures of an accelerating take-off, a fading away take-off, a wave of take-off plus take-off dissolving into a trill. The concept of 'flightness' is also connected, at first, with a buoyant and increasingly whirling exultation, whose aim is always to achieve ecstasy and liberation of the soul from material bondage.
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