People and publications

A critical account, first, of Skryabin’s friend and chronicler Leonid Sabaneyev. Sabaneyev, a close personal associate of the composer, is the commentator on Skryabin most quoted in the West; his ironically sceptical attitude colours much of the comment published in English-speaking countries. His publications during Skryabin’s lifetime, which uncritically promulgate the composer’s music and ideas, are not quoted, however. Sabaneyev’s switch of allegiance on the death of Skryabin, the background to his theory of ‘genius’, and the reaction of his contemporaries to his personality and writing are examined. A background to the publisher of Skryabin’s writings, Mikhail Gershenzon, is then given, looking at Gershenzon’s indirect personal links with the Skryabins and the beliefs and ideas of Gershenzon which would have disposed him to show an interest in the composer’s thought. (129)