Classical Music Forum banner

Sergei Prokofiev

75K views 388 replies 145 participants last post by  FluteLover2459 
#1 ·
Prokofiev

Among some of the best few Russian composers would definitely be Prokofiev. I have to be honest, I don't listen to his music that often (just hearing his first piano concerto again for the...3rd or 4th time :eek: I thought to start a thread on him).

To mention some favorites: The Love for Three Oranges, Romeo and Juliet (I only have excerpts, so any recommendations for a full album would be helpful), Pno Concerto 1 in D flat, and symphonies 5 and 7.
 
#73 ·
I listened to his three Cinderella Suites at work this week and I didn't find them cold. I did however notice a tendency in Prokofiev and many other C20 composers to use an inordinate amount of percussion that makes a "whack!" sound, like two planks whacked together. (I have forgotten the name of this instrument.) It got to be so pervasive I almost found it annoying. They also use a lot of "tock" sounds which I know is a woodblock.

Why would C20 composers favor this limited instrument over say a drum kit for instance and sometimes even over the timpani? Is it because they were trying to be different and so wound up being uniform? I foresee future musicologists telling their students to recognize early 20th century music by the abundance of "whack! and "tock."
 
#74 ·
He can craft a piece of music obviously, he knows how to write for instruments and can structure pieces well. Some of his 'pops' of course are well loved by many, Romeo and Juliet, Classical Symphony, Lieutenant Kije Suite....but like other composers of that period (Hindemith for example) I wonder if his status is elevated because he is in this more fashionable period.
 
#76 ·
I'm not saying he is bad. As you say he can be playful, such as the 3rd concerto mentioned above. But when he tries to get really expressive I feel it less normally. The 6th symphony for instance is meant to be a really serious piece but has never really communicated to me. It's not just about the percussion as Weston mentions but with the strings as well even.
 
#78 ·
I run hot and cold on Prokofiev. Right now I'm starting to run hot again, especially the "Classic" Symphony (#1), the 1st piano concerto and especially the marvelous 3rd piano concerto (either Browning or Argerrich--both approaches blow me out of the water!), the Fifth Symphony, Sycthian Suite, Romeo and Juliet, and my old favorite standby "Lieutenant Kije."

I like his rhythm and drive and his jagged, yet oddly Post-Romantic lyricism. And his sardonic wit.

I'm not a fan of his solo piano music, but that's just me. I'm just not attuned to that particular approach to the piano--though I certainly can appreciate where he's coming from.

Frankly, I've yet to get used to his 2nd piano concerto, though it's easier for me to take lately than it used to be. There's a good chance that it will grow on me, this time, however. It seems that the older I get, the more my ears mature, LOL!

And for those only used to the "Alexander Nevsky" in it's 'cantata' form, I'd suggest a viewing of the recently remastered Eisenstein classic film, with the new soundtrack performance by the St. Petersburg orchestra 'dubbed' in. The print is pristine (it looks as if it were filmed yesterday), and the newly restored soundtrack will simply knock you out of the room. The more I listen to it, the more convinced I am that it just MIGHT be the greatest film score ever written--and far more satisfying than the 'cantata' he arranged from the score.

Damn good composer, IMO.

Tom
 
#93 ·
yes, indeed he was a very strong chess player. you can even see the game here in Chessgames site. Notice his games against mentioned David Oistrakh and Maurice Ravel.

from the comments over there : Here is the backround story: Prokofiev and Oistrakh were friends, both member of the Moskow Chess Club. But their big rivalry over the chessboard should be fought out in a match. Their stake was musically: the loser should give a concert for free to the members of the Moskow Chess Club.

After four draws they came to an agreement to cancel the challenge/match and both -together- gave the 'wagered' concert.


I like his string quartet no.1, beautiful.
 
#95 ·
I don't know. Number 5 especially sounds awesome to me.

Anyway, my faves...

Symphonies Nos.1, 3 & 5
Piano Concertos Nos.1, 2 & 3
Alexander Nevsky
Leutnant Kije Suite
Violin Concertos Nos.1 & 2
Romeo & Juliet
Cinderella
The Love for Three Oranges
Betrothal in a Monastery
 
#98 ·
I've loved the music of Prokofiev for many years. As well as his masterpieces in the piano,orchestral and ballet repertoire,Prokofiev wrote some of the finest operas of the 20th century, and his they are fortunately starting to become part of the operatic canon,to a large degree because of thew tireless efforts of maestro Gergiev,who is one of the finest conductors of Prokofiev ever.
The Love For Three Oranges is a zany and exuberant comedy which often seems to anticipate Monty Python in its gleeful absurdity.
The Fiery Angel,on the other hand, is probably the weirdest and most disturbing opera ever written, a nightmarish story of insane obsession, sorcery, and demonology set in 16th century Germany. Prokofiev's score is almost unbearably intense and harrowing. It's not for the faint-hearted,and don't listen to a recording or watch the DVD late at night, or you may have nightmares !
War and Peace is possibly the most monumental operatic masterpiece of the 20th century, with an enormous cast and filled with passionate and sweeping music.
Though less well-known that the Cantata Alexander Nevsky, the music Prokofiev wrote for Einsenstein's classic film Ivan The Terrible was put together as a full-length oratorio after his death by another composer or conduictor whose name I can't recall offhand, with a narrator portraying the ruthless Czar and baritone and Mezzo soloists as well as chorus.
It's perhaps even more sweeping and powerful than Alexander Nevsky.
The Scythian Suite is also a thrilling piece, and no mere riip-off of the Rite of Spring, but a work with a very different color and character.
The 4th symphony, which is rarely performed and uses music from the ballet The Prodigal Son, is a very underrated symphony, and I prefer the more expansive second version, but some prefer the more concise original.
 
#99 ·
The Fiery Angel,on the other hand, is probably the weirdest and most disturbing opera ever written, a nightmarish story of insane obsession, sorcery, and demonology set in 16th century Germany. Prokofiev's score is almost unbearably intense and harrowing. It's not for the faint-hearted,and don't listen to a recording or watch the DVD late at night, or you may have nightmares !
Ooooooooooh... sounds interesting, I go look it up. :D
 
#101 ·
I love

The fairy angel...I think this opera is really evil...the guy was sick when he composed this, the music is extremely penetrating...the last scene when Renata reveals her real nature and the nuns became possessed....that is great!!!! The music is powerful and it is the same music in his 3rd symphony...well everybody knows that... Is the opera I like the most by him...It makes me think about Lulu (Alban Berg)...

After this opera, Sergei becomes a good guy...Just more communist....Music for everyone....War and peace is awesome but quite....The betrotahl is nice....Simeon Kotko, I don't really like this opera...too much propaganda as the story of a real man....Sovietic propaganda....The gambler, one of his first operas is a real mess!!!!! I don't understand it...Do you?

Martin, ignorant
 
#102 ·
The fairy angel...I think this opera is really evil...the guy was sick when he composed this, the music is extremely penetrating...the last scene when Renata reveals her real nature and the nuns became possessed....that is great!!!! The music is powerful and it is the same music in his 3rd symphony...well everybody knows that... Is the opera I like the most by him...It makes me think about Lulu (Alban Berg)...

After this opera, Sergei becomes a good guy...Just more communist....Music for everyone....War and peace is awesome but quite....The betrotahl is nice....Simeon Kotko, I don't really like this opera...too much propaganda as the story of a real man....Sovietic propaganda....The gambler, one of his first operas is a real mess!!!!! I don't understand it...Do you?

Martin, ignorant
Well, I perhaps know something I should tell you. Look up historical events for Prokofiev: 1924-25. Something huge in that span of time changed his life, and his view of music, and that's why after that point he stopped writing all that creepy stuff like, "Seven, there are Seven" the Scythian Suite, the Fiery Angel, etc. Tell me when you find out what happened... hint, it had little to do with Communism.
 
#103 ·
Half a year ago, I would shut my ears when I heard twentieth century music. That was when i discovered Prokofiev.
You have to admit there is something magical in Prokofiev's music that makes you never grow tired of it. I mean, how can one not just fall in love with those beautifully sarcastic tunes, the color, and the flow of his music?
Recently, I have fallen in love with Prokofiev's piano works.

Toccata, Op. 11
Suggestion diabolique
Prokofiev sonata 6 and 7 (Listen to Richter!)
Prokofiev piano concerto 1

But over all, I can't stop listening to prokofiev's 3rd piano concerto. I mean, listen to the Argerich version and you'll know what I mean. The first movement: there's that first theme which makes you lift your eyes to heaven. Then with the fiery uprising ending in this INCREDIBLE bitingly sarcastic second theme. And that's just the exposition! And HOLY COW! The third movement is SO CRAZY. Banging chords every eight of a second in seemingly random places. And plus, glissandos up and down, up and down. I get a headache listening to that, BUT I LOOOVE it!

Feel free to post your thoughts on this AWESOMELY COOL russian maniac!!!
===========================================================
My dear friend...The XXth century? You haven't finished yet...Try Schnittke! This is something
 
#104 ·
Well, I perhaps know something I should tell you. Look up historical events for Prokofiev: 1924-25. Something huge in that span of time changed his life, and his view of music, and that's why after that point he stopped writing all that creepy stuff like, "Seven, there are Seven" the Scythian Suite, the Fiery Angel, etc. Tell me when you find out what happened... hint, it had little to do with Communism.
=========================================================
Please tell me! I always wanted to know what this big change! But I thought that Shostakovich had a similar change (The nose was awfully modern and difficult to understand).... Please tell me!

But I like his creapy style...I think I'm creepy myself...It was when he returned to the URSS? Or somebody died?

I haver no idea....

Sincerely

Martin Pitchon
 
#105 ·
But the most important thing was his meeting with Albert Coates who was delighted with Three Oranges, when it was played to him by the composer, and who "laughed like a child". "How pleasant it is to play to a man who understands you, unlike the Americans Bodanzky and Gatti", he noted. As a result there were again promises for a production at Covent Garden but the only definite agreement was for Prokofiev to appear in a concert the following season on 27 January 1921 and before that to conduct his "Scythian Suite" and "Classical Symphony".

I was reading all this in order to find out Prokofiev's secret...But I couldn't.

http://www.sprkfv.net/journal/three02/1920_1.html

Very interesting...At the beginning I thought...when he met Stravinsky...or...when he went to England...But I think I don't know! I give up! You tell me! and I tell you Tchaikovsky's secret (everybody knows this....LOL). Please Huilunsoittaja! Be nice!

Martin Pitchon
 
#107 ·
Frankly...

I think we can/should share this secret...we are among friends...and moreover, curious people like us...But indeed you can go to the site...You'll be clarified about how Prokofiev decided to change deeply his orientation (I'm not speaking sexually...LOL, he was not gay)...

Then again, go to Prokofiev, religion something, as my friend has said...You'll have the surprise of your life and will understand many things like my friend...did, he opened my EYES. LOL

Martin

:tiphat:
 
#111 ·
Prokofiev, was one of the worst composers that had ever lived in history[/QUOTE

Why do you come here for saying that. It is true that here nobody knows a thing about Prokofiev...Thehat!ead for ty just know the "surface-knowledge"...just one ballet, one symphony one concerto and no operas at all!
And they launched a thread just for that! It is incredible how people can come to say nonsense..

Well...I'll go to sleep again. Do not bother me. LOL
 
G
#114 ·
It is true that here nobody knows a thing about Prokofiev...Thehat!ead for ty just know the "surface-knowledge"...just one ballet, one symphony one concerto and no operas at all!
And they launched a thread just for that! It is incredible how people can come to say nonsense..

Well...I'll go to sleep again. Do not bother me. LOL
But discussion threads are not just for the experts. Indeed, the experts will probably not be contributing at all to threads of this sort.

Anyway, lack of knowledge becomes a problem only when conclusions are drawn on insufficient evidence. If someone comes on to say that Classical Symphony or Peter and the Wolf is their favorite piece, so what? If you want to do good at that point, why not suggest other pieces? Prokofiev borrowed from himself perhaps more than any other composer has done. Beethoven and Berlioz a fair bit, of course, but no one so much. And so for anyone who loves the Classical Symphony, how about suggesting that they listen to Romeo and Juliet, which recycles a movement of the symphony?

To say that the posters so far have said nonsense is about as useful as saying that Prokofiev is one of the worst composers. (It must have been amusing the first time the pot called the kettle black. The first time....)
 
Top