Cartier’s Master Perfumer Brings Olfactory Dimension to Scriabin’s ‘Prometheus’

In an innovative fusion of music and fragrance, Cartier’s chief perfumer Mathilde Laurent has crafted a unique olfactory interpretation to accompany Alexander Scriabin's musical composition ‘Prometheus: The Poem of Fire.’ This scent-enhanced performance aims to provide a multi-sensory experience that aligns with Scriabin's original vision of a synesthetic symphony, where music and color unite. The unveiling took place at San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall, home to the San Francisco Symphony.

An Aromatic Symphony

Scriabin's masterpiece from 1910, ‘Prometheus,’ not only includes a grand orchestration with choir and piano soloists but also incorporates an element of synesthesia by prescribing a color organ to project a spectrum of lights alongside the music. In this contemporary interpretation, a sequence of fragrances released via seat diffusers and inventive scent cannons, or vortexes, add an olfactory layer to the composer's multisensory score.

Behind the Scented Scenes

During a practice session, with the pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet at the keys and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen overseeing the orchestral arrangement, Mathilde Laurent meticulously synchronized the scent release to the flow of music. Using state-of-the-art technology, wooden vortexes—specially created for this performance—emitted rings of fragrant smoke into the concert hall. These tools not only added aroma but also produced a near-musical note themselves, contributing to the concert's ambient sounds.

Collaborative Innovation

To ensure the flawless integration of scent and sound, the creative team, including Breton engineers behind the scent delivery technology, conducted thorough testing. The group aimed to perfect the timing and intensity of the fragrance release, aligning it closely with Scriabin's composition, played during rehearsals through an overhead recording by Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich, and the Berlin Philharmonic.

music, fragrance, synesthesia