Alexander Nikolaevich Skryabin was a great composer, whose music fascinated and seemed mystical. He was a pioneer in the direction of light music, and then the listener did not understand him, but today it is widely used in musical compositions.
A. N. Scriabin: short biography
The great composer and musician was born in Moscow in 1872 in the family of a student of Moscow University, who later became a diplomat and held an important position. A year after his birth, his mother died of illness, in 1878 his father was sent to work at the embassy in Constantinople. Little Alexander was left in the care of his grandparents and his father's sister.
At a very young age, Alexander began to show interest in music and at the age of 5 he knew how to play the piano. Soon he was sent to the cadet corps, from which he graduated and entered the Moscow Conservatory in piano and composition. While still studying in the cadet corps, Scriabin took private lessons and worked hard.
Worked abroad for some time, where he earned his living performing his own compositions. Then he returned to Russia, began to teach at the conservatory, periodically performed in France, Belgium asconductor and pianist, and also gave concerts in Moscow.
In total, he had 7 children from two spouses, although he was not officially married to his second wife. He died from blood poisoning due to an unsuccessfully squeezed out boil, he was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.
In memory of the composer, back in 1922, the Scriabin Museum was opened in Moscow. It was managed by his second wife.
Scriabin Museum
The museum in memory of the great composer was decided to be created in his apartment, an old mansion, where he lived for the last three years, having died in 1915. This is an old museum, which was opened in 1922, where it was possible to preserve the atmosphere in which Scriabin lived, thanks to all household items.
It was a great luck that no one was added to the apartment and they did not turn it into a communal apartment. In 1918, the composer's widow received a paper saying that the furnishings of the apartment were inviolable.
In the 30s, when there was ideological "pressure" in the country, it was difficult to maintain the work of the museum, during the war all the items were taken out for preservation, and then they did repairs there and opened it a little later, when they could already come everyone.
All furniture in the apartment is original, it was created by famous Russian and foreign furniture makers at the beginning of the 20th century. The most priceless items are the pianos for which the composer worked. You can also see photographs, documents, letters and, of course, a personal library on various topics (philosophy, natural sciences,ethics).
Museum exhibits
When the Scriabin Museum was opened in 1922, the viewer was presented with three rooms: a dining room, a bedroom and an office, the number of exhibits at that time was 455 units.
Two years later, another room was opened, where one could see the famous Becker grand piano and the “light circle”, which was specially designed for the composer by his engineer friend. In addition to musical items, there are letters, manuscripts, a bust of the composer and a tailcoat in which he performed for the last time. Over the years, the collection has been constantly replenished with various small and large items and today it is about 30 thousand items.
Today Memorial Museum of A. N. Scriabin invites all guests to see six rooms and feel the atmosphere of those years. In addition to the above rooms, a children's room, an entrance hall and a living room were added, although the children's room has not been preserved, and various documents and letters of the composer are presented there.
Museum Activities
At present, the Scriabin Memorial Museum is not just a museum, but a scientific and educational center where various events are held. Guests have the opportunity to visit thematic excursions, listen to exciting lectures, come to creative meetings with famous musicians, artists and other artists.
Scriabin's music was unique and original in its own way, impulsiveness, nervousness and anxiety were always felt in it. The apartment has keptmany documents on which scientific work was carried out, and it was started by the widow T. F. Schlozer and continued by followers. In the future, it is planned to open an international research center to study the directions of music.
Scriabin Museum in Moscow: how to get there
The museum is located at 11, Bolshoy Nikolopeskovsky Lane, not far from the Vakhtangov Theater and a few hundred meters from the Smolenskaya metro station.
Museum opening hours and prices
The Scriabin Museum is open every day, except Monday and Tuesday, from 11.00 to 19.00, and on Thursdays from 13.00 to 21.00.
The cost of an adult ticket is 200 rubles, it is also possible to purchase tickets at a discount for privileged categories of citizens (schoolchildren, full-time students, pensioners and families with many children). Guides, temporary exhibitions, lectures for schoolchildren are paid separately. You can find out about all ongoing events by phone or on the museum website.
