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EnYu. Sotula
Synthesis of arts and A. Drozdov’s musical enlighten activities of 1910s
The synthesis of the arts is a widespread form of artistic expression, attracting the attention of many artists of the early 20th century. This is clearly demonstrated by the creative biography of the musician, educator, pianist, and composer Anatoly Drozdov (1883–1950), a follower of the theoretical ideas and aesthetic and philosophical innovations of A. Scriabin, and the painter N. Kulbin.
The author of this article examines the most important factors that contributed to the formation of A. Drozdov’s synthetic aspirations. Among them: productive collaboration with N. Kulbin, the organizer of art gatherings of Russian heralds and adherents of Futurism, the editor of anthology “Studio of the Impressionists”; attendance at artistic evenings and exhibitions at the “Stray Dog” cabaret; performances with musical illustrations at N. Kulbin’s lectures on the synthesis of the arts; the work as the head of the music section of the ARS creative union, etc., is directly related to this collaboration. The first compositor’s trials by A. Drozdov – his piano pieces “In the Secluded Monastery”, “Flute of the Faun”, and “Bacchic Round Dance” – are also directly related.
The influence of A. Scriabin, described in A. Drozdov’s well-known memoir, also appears to be quite significant. The researcher highlights the musician-enlightener’s active work in popularization Scriabin’s musical pieces. In particular, he provides a chronicle of monographic concert-lectures held in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Ekaterinodar (1912–1916), Saratov, Penza, and Samara (the 1920s), right up to the “anniversary” events timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Scriabin’s memory (1940). A striking embodiment of A. Drozdov’s synthesizing aspirations was his organization and direct participation in the “Spring Musical and Artistic Festivals” in Ekaterinodar (1912 and 1913). A unique summary of the musician’s multifaceted work in the field of enlightenment was the article “In breadth or deep into? (Alternatives for Musical-Enlighten Activities)” published in 1915 by the journal “Musical Contemporary”.
Key words
A. Drozdov, N. Kulbin, A. Scriabin, synthesis of the arts, musical performing art, composer’s creative works, artistic enlighten activities, concert-lecture.
For citation
Sotula Yu. Synthesis of arts and A. Drozdov’s musical enlighten activities of 1910s. In: South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2025. No. 3. Pp. 112–119.
