Alexander Scriabin

1 7.6

A Russian composer known for piano and orchestra music in a new musical style

proper noun
/ˈælɪɡˌzændər ˈskriːəbin/

: Alexander Scriabin

The piano sonatas of Alexander Scriabin are acclaimed for their expressive harmonies.

Examples

Modern composers often cite Alexander Scriabin as an influence on their approach to musical color.
Many music historians consider Alexander Scriabin a pioneer of early twentieth-century classical music.
Alexander Scriabin was a revolutionary composer in the early 20th century.
Many consider Alexander Scriabin to be a pioneer of modern music.
Many music historians consider Alexander Scriabin a pioneer of early twentieth-century classical music.
Modern composers often cite Alexander Scriabin as an influence on their approach to musical color.
The piano sonatas of Alexander Scriabin are acclaimed for their expressive harmonies.

Synonyms

Aleksandr Nikolayevich Scriabin

vsAlexander Scriabin

9.9

A Russian composer who wrote new and unusual piano and orchestra music

is the common name used instead of the formal full personal name

Surface Forms

Alexander Scriabin main

Morphology

Alexander + Scriabin

This is a personal name composed of two proper nouns; knowing the constituent words as names does not allow a B1 learner to infer the semantic information that Scriabin was a Russian composer or the dates. Recognition of this MWE requires specific world knowledge (familiarity with the historical figure), so the meaning is not derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Alexander Scriabin was a Russian composer who believed music had colours and strong spiritual power, so he wrote strange chords and piano pieces to make sound feel like light. That's why people today call him a 'pioneer' of new, modern classical music.