Table of contents : Contents Acknowledgments A note on transliteration and dates Introduction 1. Decadence: Tchaikovsky at the Edge Interlude. Symbolism’s Nutcracker 2. Syncretism: Rimsky-Korsakov and Belsky Interlude. Klara Milich 3.Theurgy: Scriabin and the Impossible Interlude. Another Church Musician Writes an Opera 4. Mimesis: Prokofiev’s Demons Conclusion Notes Index