Lyrics А.Скрябин - Поэма Экстаза

The poem opens with an introduction based on a short lyrical theme of languor, which runs three times in different timbre colors. At the end of the short introduction, which runs in a continuous tremolo of violins, the solo trumpet acquires the main nucleus of the future theme of will - a short motive with a dotted rhythm and a decisive leap. The main section of the piece begins with the theme of dreams in the expressive sound of the solo clarinet (Lento. Soavamente). The characteristic move to an ascending reduced fourth that appears in it anticipates the main intonation of the theme of self-affirmation. After its development, a new theme enters - flight (Allegro volande), intoned at first with a flute. It grows up in a swift, scurvy movement with light pizzicato strings, a barely audible clink of cymbals, fluttering of short motifs from wooden instruments against the background of sustained sounds of horns. The next episode - Lento - is devoted to the theme of emerging creations in the gentle sound of a solo violin with a whimsical chromatized melody pattern. It is replaced by Allegro pop troppo: the chords of horns with muffs perform "disturbing rhythms", followed by the theme of will on the trumpet, which turns into a proud and exalted, upward-directed theme of self-affirmation. In the episode Moderato avec delice, the theme of languor reappears and then the theme of creations, both undergoing development. Tension builds up, reaching its first significant climax. The second wave (Allegro) is distinguished by the dialogue of themes of self-assertion and flight, and the second loses here its originally characteristic lightness. This dialogue is invaded by disturbing rhythms, no longer in the chord, but in the monophonic version. Allegro drammatico continues this wave, but the theme of self-assertion is now opposed to disturbing rhythms. Dynamic tension intensifies, with the victory of the disturbing rhythms a tragic climax is reached, on which a new theme appears - the theme of protest in the formidable sound of trombones (the intonations of the theme of flight flash in the accompanying voices). Further, the theme of will opposes the disturbing rhythms, then the theme of pleasure joins them, intonationally close to the theme of emerging creations. It grows, bringing in more and more light colors, and, finally, leads to a triumphant-sounding theme of self-affirmation. This is the main culmination of the poem. The episode repeating the beginning of the main section of the poem (Lento) opens with the theme of dreams, its further presentation is somewhat concise and dynamized. A short but extremely active coda returns to tragic events. The theme of protest sounds, disturbing rhythms, the theme of will, and finally, the theme of self-affirmation.
In the final Maestoso, it passes triumphantly, combining contrapuntally with the transformed intonations of the theme of will and disturbing rhythms, which also acquire an affirming optimistic character.