Concert celebrates 100 years of the death of "God"

Thursday, 5 November 2015

A concert that pays tribute to an eccentric Russian composer who could see music in colours and described himself as “God” will be held at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Hall on Saturday 14 November.

The concert – by Masters and PhD students and staff of the University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music – will feature all of the piano sonatas composed by Alexander Scriabin from 1892-1913. The composer and pianist died 100 years ago in 1915.

Scriabin had a condition known as synaesthesia which enabled him to “see” music in colours. In honour of this unusual gift, coloured lights will be projected on screens inside Elder Hall to accompany the music.

Internationally acclaimed pianists and Elder Conservatorium higher degree students Konstantin Shamray, Ashley Hribar and Mekhla Kumar will join former Head of Keyboard Studies Stefan Ammer to perform the sonatas.

“Scriabin’s music has been described as like heaven and hell – at times it can be bright and colourful, almost divine, and other works are extremely dark but attractive,” says Konstantin Shamray.

“Mysticism, Eastern influences and the concept of ‘the superhuman’ were all important to Scriabin’s work, which makes for a very diverse but exciting performance,” he says.

Three guest speakers will also present at the concert on Scriabin’s life and works: Professor Graeme Koehne, Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Professor Charles Bodman Rae, and Mr Stephen Whittington.

The artists for this event are performing as a benefit to support the maintenance of the Elder Hall Steinways, with the funds from ticket sales going to the Elder Conservatorium’s Steinway Fund.


WHAT:     I Am God – Scriabin Piano Sonatas
WHERE:  Elder Hall, North Terrace campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN:    7.00pm-9.00pm Saturday 14 November 2015
COST:     $20 adult / $15 concession. Tickets available at the door or buy online.

Contact Details