Cosmism! Vikings! Political assassination! What could these possibly have to do with an avant-garde Russian composer from the early 1900s?
Meet Alexander Scriabin—a visionary pianist, composer, and mystic who believed music held the key to unlocking the universe’s deepest secrets. Scriabin wasn’t just creating melodies—he was crafting cosmic messages. Influenced by Russian Cosmism, Theosophy, and his own vivid experience of synesthesia (literally seeing colors when he heard sounds), Scriabin dreamed of writing a symphony so powerful it could bring about the spiritual transformation of humanity—or trigger the end of the world as we know it.
Born into a family with noble Viking roots and raised in a culture of artistic brilliance and military prestige, Scriabin lived a life as surreal and intense as his music. His compositions evolved from romantic Chopin-inspired piano pieces to wild, dissonant, mystical works that defied traditional tonality. Along the way, he attracted cult-like followers, dabbled in esoteric philosophies, and even envisioned a future where music could reshape reality.
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating intersection of music, metaphysics, and early 20th-century Russian philosophy. From Scriabin’s radical ideas to the bizarre legacies left behind by his descendants—including political intrigue and tragic fates—this is the untold story of one of classical music’s most enigmatic figures.
Tune in now for a mind-bending journey into the strange and beautiful world of Alexander Scriabin—the composer who tried to change the cosmos through sound.
