Scriabin and Russian Orchestra at Hill By Rosemary Metz Daily Arts Writer Russia's storied national past has included cataclysmic events: Revolutions, assassinations and spy intrigues. Russia's artistic and cultural history, though, is rich with the works of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, in addition to the music of Tchaikovsky and many other composers. Currently, the spotlight shines on the works of Alexander Scriabin. A complex, multimedia presentation reflecting the thoughts and philosophies of this composer is being prepared by The Center for Russian and East European Studies and the University Musical Society. Scriabin, a complicated and driven composer, has been hailed as a mystical philosopher. Scriabin's own metamorphosis is reflected in his compositions. At first, his music is almost Chopin-esque in the Romantic mode. His work takes a dramatic turn at his discovery of a new "nirvana" which would signal a world regeneration - not only in Russia, but worldwide. He predicted a new millennium that would be ushered in on the waves of his musical compositions. Believing in this new age, Scriabin's vision was to uplift his audience to the realm of the gods. Some of these topics, which include Scriabin's personal and philosophical changes, will be discussed in the University's symposium of events. The symposium highlights the Russian National Orchestra, conducted by Mikhail Pletnev, which will perform "Prometheus: Poem of Fire" at a UMS concert tonight. This powerful work dramatizes Scriabin's perceptions of himself as a transcendent being with powerful capabilities. Furthermore, this work is a call by the composer for civilization to advance quickly into the new millennium. The work is timeless and yet time-limited, inviting the listener to remember the Prometheus legend of Greek mythology, in which a mortal wrestled fire from the gods. The listener is also urged to think of the consequences of such an act. The Russian National Orchestra has established a berth in the front ranks of the orchestras of the world. RNO was the first orchestra to play at the Vatican and in Israel. This orchestra is free of Russian government control, a long-held dream of the conductor. Pletnev has been the principal conductor of the RNO since its inception. The UMS concert will include two works of Russian composers, Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36," and Rachmaninoff's "Isle of the Dead, Op. 29." Francesko Tristano Schlime appears as piano soloist. Colored lights will add to the ambiance of Scriabin's work in the second half of the concert. Scriabin's musical and philosophical promise ended with the Russian Revolution of 1917. Gone were the combinations of light, incense and music as the composer sought to transcend the boundaries of turn of the 19th century musical interests. Yet the remains of this philosophical approach to music have provided much multi-layered vistas for scholarly pursuit. As the new millennium begins to unfold, it is useful to learn about millennial predictions and both their successes and failures. Certainly foremost were Scriabin's deeply held philosophical notions of a new age. Originally on page 8A in the 1-24-2000 issue of the Daily.