Critic Shelf
Home
Discover
Sign in
Your rating
Tap a star, half steps count

Alexander Scriabin – Towards the Light / Calculation and Ecstasy

Aug 15, 1996 · 58m
No ratings yet
Documentary

PLOT

Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915) born in Moscow, was an innovative, mystical, avant-garde Russian pianist and composer. This film explores Scriabin’s profound vision of art's unity — where music, movement, light and colour merge to create transcendent experiences. Some claim Scriabin pioneered atonality before Schoenberg. Key works: Poème, Op. 32 No. 1 (1903) and Vers la flamme, Op. 72 (1914). Featuring commentary from esteemed musicians like Eduard Artemyev, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Vladimir Horowitz, Artist: Hermann Nitsch, conductor Mikhail Pletnev and insights from Scriabin’s daughter: Marina Scriabine, this documentary offers a unique glimpse into the life and works of one of music’s most enigmatic figures. Shot across stunning locales in Switzerland, Italy and Russia, enriched with Scriabin’s own writings and rare archival materials. The highlight includes a historic recording of Scriabin himself, playing his Poem Op. 32 No. 1 on a Welte Mignon player-piano, recorded in 1908.

REVIEWS

View reviews

CAST

Hermann Nitsch
Himself
Vladimir Horowitz
Himself
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Himself
Mikhail Pletnev
Himself
Sergey Rachmaninoff
Himself
Ivan Wyschnegradsky
Himself
Eduard Artemyev
Himself
Directed by Oliver Becker

DETAILS

Status
Released
Original language
EN
Budget
—
Revenue
—
Country
US

SIMILAR TITLES

LDN
2017
Because We Love It
Blur: No Distance Left to Run
2010
Son Habana
2024
De caballos y guitarras
2024
Hugues Aufray, l'éternel jeune homme
2024
Critic Shelf
Rate what you watch, show it on shelves, and compare taste with anyone. Film and TV data from TMDB.
ACCOUNT
Sign in
Create account
Delete account
COMPANY
About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.
© 2026 Critic Shelf
WATCH · RATE · COMPARE