Julian Scriabin - Four Preludes

Four Preludes (1918-19)

Prelude Op. 2 "Lento" (1918)
Prelude Op. 3 No. 1 (1918) 2:30
Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 (1918) 3:40
Prelude WoO (1919) 4:08

The son of Alexander Scriabin, Julian (1908-1919) was a child prodigy and showed remarkable promise as a composer. His four preludes written when he was just 11 indicate his father's influence, particularly the transition phase from the middle to late period (Op. 50s). Some scholars doubt these complex preludes are written by Julian, but are rather unpublished works his father probably composed in 1907. Despite the doubt surrounding their authorship, these four preludes are potent and mature miniatures, which, if truly composed by an 11 year old, must leave us in awe and wonder. Julian drowned in a boating accident and we can only imagine what this young composer might have created had he lived longer.

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[Emanresu56]

Imagine, if Julian had lived, he may have been able to carry on his father's legacy and finish Mysterium.

[MJTTOMB]

@Fuglebolle Not possible. Alexander Scriabin died in 1915, 3 years before Julian wrote these.

[MJE112358132134]

I certainly agree that Julian might have been a stupdendous composer had he lived longer. Glad to see this performance-plus-score clip here - I've known of these Preludes for decades and wanted to hear them and see the scores, but before the Internet I never thought in a million years I would ever get to. So thanks for posting this.

Did Julian write anything else?

[MJE112358132134]

First I've heard that there's any doubt that Julian wrote these. To previous commenters: I've seen images of A. Scriabin manuscripts, and I don't believe Julian's writing looks especially like them. Also, I don't believe these pieces are by Alexander: while a stunning achievement for an 11-year-old boy, they seem slightly flawed in places, as if to show inexperience. Doubters that an 11-year-old could compose this music should check out some of Korngold's very early compositions.

[perepetyia]

sounds like new embodiment of ANS/

[alexface211]

@richardmakarovprice Of course the style was quite similar to his father's! What else did you expect?

[richardmakarovprice]

Think about it, guys. Is Julian writted this on his own? The style was quite similar to his father's! Op. 3 No. 2 (3:40) is quite similar to his father's prelude, Op. 37 No.2!

[fmorgana]

For more along these lines, Google "Carl Filtsch."

[WAMEDJO]

Just call a bunch of experts in the matter of recognize one's writing (can't remember how it is called) to compare this with authentified Alexander's manuscripts and you'll have the final point to this. But to me it matches Alexander's (which is much).

[Emanresu56]

@Tunaan360 Well, considering Mozart began writing his first pieces when he was little it's not particularly surprising.

[outterspaces]

@Fuglebolle

Actually I think Julian did all by himself, at least that some texts say. He was just a prodigy boy that unfortunately died. I'd wanted to listen to a Julian piano concerto!