Sergei Sergeevich Prokofiev: list of compositions. The most famous works of Prokofiev

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The great Russian composer, conductor and pianist Sergei Prokofiev left a big mark on the history of world music. Despite the difficult fate, the People's Artist of Russia created brilliant musical works. The famous "Peter and the Wolf", the ballet "Cinderella", "The Fifth Symphony", "Romeo and Juliet" - all this was written by Prokofiev. The list of the composer's works can be enumerated for a long time: from piano and symphonic to stage music. Each of them is distinguished by specific musical characteristics, deep expressiveness of images. Many said that Sergei Sergeevich heard a plastic image in the sounds, which reflected his uniqueness, his talent. In the field of opera and ballet, he had no equal.

The work of the great composer

Prokofiev, whose list of works is distinguished by diversity, richness and brightness of images, lived outside our country for a long time. Many connoisseurs of his talent withanxiously thought about whether the composer would be able to "resist" against foreign pressure in music and not immerse himself in writing refined French compositions, extinguishing his element of the true Russian soul. The great pianist devoted himself completely to art, giving his masterpieces to the general population, thanks to which he received such extensive world recognition, despite new musical trends.

Prokofiev had such a natural attitude to music that, according to him, his works were born from life itself: from everything that surrounded him, excited and delighted. The composer said that he never looked for the themes of his works, everything turned out by itself. One of the most striking creations created at home was a delightful ballet called Romeo and Juliet. All the images are so realistic that they are breathtaking, and the music is distinguished by its extraordinary depth and power, the exact drawing of every detail and element.

Tragedy and immortal love in Romeo and Juliet

The basis of the dramaturgy of Prokofiev's ballet under consideration is the persuasiveness and strength of the opposing, opposite sides (hatred and boundless love). Antagonistic beginnings collide with each other, conflict, develop in parallel, which causes strong feelings from what is heard. The images of love in the ballet symbolize Juliet and her lover. The composer emphasizes the passionate love theme, which is confirmed by the orchestra's introduction. This is the bright side. The dark one is represented by the struggle of two families, which is expressed in a straightforward way.theme song, more raw and even sinister.

Each of the presented images is distinguished by dynamics, rapid movement. This is especially true for the main character, who, from a young girl who does not know the worries and hardships of the world around her, has turned into another person at the end of the act. In the image of Juliet, a hot character, a passionate soul and a madly loving heart are manifested.

The mass scenes of the ballet are written by Prokofiev as colorful and bright as possible. These are the moments of the morning awakening of the city, and carnival days with a jubilant crowd. However, this is just a backdrop for the main events, contributing to the dramatic increase in the drama of the story and some specific moments, for example, the fight between Tyb alt and Romeo.

This magnificent work did not immediately resonate with the audience. Many felt that the music was completely unsuitable for ballet, and Prokofiev (whose list of works can be seen below) was refused several times to stage at the Bolshoi Theater. In the early forties of the XX century, the ballet was staged. This was influenced by a symphonic suite created from different numbers of Romeo and Juliet.

Piano miniatures and operas

In the same period with the tragic work, the composer creates famous miniatures called "Children's Music". The sounds of native nature, cheerful children's motives are heard in them, and elements of pioneer songs in the form of marches can be heard, which will later be expressively and vividly revealed in "Peter and the Wolf". Such works as “The Tale ofstone flower. In this ballet, the audience remembered the pieces called "W altz of Diamonds", as well as "Evening".

Operas are a separate chapter of the composer's work. It was because of them that Prokofiev sounded in a completely new way for the listeners. The list of works is as follows:

• Piano sonatas.
• "Guarding the Peace".
• Fiery Angel.
• Concertos for instruments and orchestra.
• Semyon Kotko.
• Seven symphonies.
• "The Tale of the Stone Flower"
• “Betrothal in a monastery.”
• "Alexander Nevsky".

Also considered outstanding: "Cinderella", "The Love for Three Oranges", "War and Peace", "Peter and the Wolf", "Romeo and Juliet", film music.

Famous symphonic children's tale

One of the most popular in the pre-war period was a symphonic fairy tale work called "Peter and the Wolf", and it was known far beyond the borders of our country. Later, the animator and director W alt Disney used this music in his cartoon project. The work differs from all other works written by the composer in its melodiousness and chant; the tale has a pronounced rhythmic pattern. Prokofiev in his work plays the role of not just a wise creator, but also a storyteller, distinguished by wit and a cheerful mood. A clear goal was set before him - to acquaint young listeners with various musical instruments, to display all the possibilities of the main components of a symphony orchestra.

The author himself more than oncepointed out that each hero of the work displays a certain musical instrument, and vice versa. For example, a cat is a clarinet, a small bird is a flute, grandfather is a bassoon, and a duck is an oboe. The wolf appears before the audience in the form of three horns and chords, and the main character, Petya, is a string quartet. The children immediately identified the shots of the hunters, focusing on the loud sounds of drums and timpani. Many school curricula still include this work with the aim of identifying by children a whole group of instruments of a symphony orchestra.

In the musical fairy tale, each image is very clearly expressed: the slight flutter of birds is heard, the gliding of a cunning cat and its purring, the grumbling of grandfather Petya or the formidable roar of a gray predator are clearly defined. The composer has repeatedly noted that he loves children very much, so the creation of miniatures gave him great pleasure. In addition to "Petya and the Wolf", I also remember the suite "Winter Bonfire", as well as "Chatterbox", which was based on poems by the famous Agnia Barto.

Music for films and plays

In the year when the centenary of the death of the great poet Pushkin was celebrated, the composer created music for the film called The Queen of Spades. In addition, his name could be seen on the posters of the performances "Eugene Onegin", as well as "Boris Godunov". Creating this magnificent music, Prokofiev discovered a new side in himself - a strong interest in the main events of the country's history. It was during this period that the audience enthusiastically accepted such works of his as "Alexander Nevsky" and "Semyon Kotko". They hear powerful notes of the courage of the heroes of thatera, the approach of terrible and terrible events.

In the 10s of the last century, the composer pays special attention in his works to contrasts, various means of expression, rhythmic pressure, and at the same time, unique lyrics and grace of melodies. It is also worth noting the share of humor and irony that are present in many works of that time. These masterpieces include the following:

• "The Tale of the Jester" (ballet staged in the 1920s in the capital of France).
• "Fleeting" for piano.
• Several romances based on poems by famous Akhmatova.
• 2 sonatas written for piano.
• First Violin Concerto (accompanied by orchestra).

The composer and pianist was in constant creative inspiration. His works are so contrasting that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether one author wrote them. Vivid examples: "The Love for Three Oranges" and "Guarding the World", "Peter and the Wolf" and "Romeo and Juliet" and so on.

Symphonic suites and songs

Many critics noted Prokofiev's extraordinary talent for works written "for the country". For example, the work "Lieutenant Kizhe", which became the music of the film of the same name in the 30s of the last century, or the suite called "Egyptian Nights" - the musical basis of the play staged in the capital's Chamber Theater in the same years. Before the great pianist returned to his homeland in the early 1930s, the Second Concerto for Violin and Orchestra was written, in which one can catch manyhappy melodic accents.

The song "White Swan" deserves special attention, which the author always personally performed and did it with such enthusiasm that every listener felt all the emotions and feelings invested by Prokofiev. Admirers of his talent have repeatedly noted this attitude of the author to his own songs. However, the "White Swan" could not but touch the soul with such a sensitive and soulful performance.

The captivating change of musical phrases for two instruments - piano and cello - amazes when listening to one of Prokofiev's most striking works. This is a "Ballad for Cello", in which the author's writing styles clearly echo. The composition is distinguished by diverse musical qualities.

Prokofiev's world famous ballets

All those principles of symphonic music that were traced in the sensational work "Romeo and Juliet" did not stop developing rapidly in other famous ballets. Vivid examples: "The Tale of the Stone Flower", written in the 50s, as well as "Cinderella" (in the 40s of the last century). Together with the latter, a play was born, distinguished by poetry and deep meaning, telling about the difficult life of a girl humiliated by her own stepmother and her two own daughters.

Music simply radiated waves of love for life, honesty and decency, and at the same time bitter longing for injustice - such multifaceted feelings and emotions were invested by Prokofiev. "Mazurka" from the ballet is more cheerful. It symbolizes that hidden optimism thatpresent in the depths of the soul of the unfortunate girl. With every musical mention of the main character, warmth, tenderness and affection are heard. Many note that this particular work, written by Sergei Prokofiev, is closest to the dramaturgy that Tchaikovsky sent to listeners and spectators.

Plays and overtures

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the magnificent four plays that Prokofiev loved to play were written. "March", "Fairy Tale", as well as "Ghost" and "Joke" have been improved more than once. A little later, four more works were written:

• "Obsession".
• "Rush".
• "Memory".
• Despair.

Always tried to bring his works to the ideal figurativeness of piano thinking Prokofiev. "Joke", "Flash", "Fairy Tale" and so on - all this formed a certain image of the author's playing, his individual piano language, based on special characteristic techniques. All the works under consideration have been refined more than once, and for many years. In his plays Prokofiev ("March", "Delusion", "Despair") only emphasized the specific pianism that emerged in his early etudes.

During a trip to the United States of America at the beginning of the last century, the pianist wrote an amazing piece especially for clarinet, piano and string quartet. It was an overture on Jewish themes. The structure of the composition corresponds to the standard form of the overture, however, a certain individuality can be traced in it - accentuatedthe roll call of two instruments in the first and second themes - clarinet and cello (they imitate each other, playing both themes, but alternately). The piano part features a low level of playing difficulty, which allows many beginner talents to enjoy wonderful music without certain virtuoso skills.

Fifth Symphony

During the war, the composer wrote his famous "Fifth Symphony" (B-flat major). Its first predecessor was created fourteen years before the fifth part was written. The author himself said that he put into it all the strength and greatness of the human spirit. The features traced in the work are drama, monumentality, grandiosity. All the heroic traditions of Russian symphonic music develop in the symphony.

The work consists of four parts:

• Andante.
• "Allegro Marcato".
• "Adagio".
• "Allegro giokoso".

The last part of the symphony - Allegro giocoso - is breathtaking in its power and penetration. The premiere was stunning, and to this day, this symphony (over 40 minutes long) remains one of the most masterpiece works of the great pianist, conductor and composer.

Revolutionary motives

Sergey Prokofiev devoted himself entirely to his favorite work, devoting almost fifty years to music. The composer lived only 62 years. Despite the difficult trials he went through in a foreign country, he proudly returned to his homeland and tried to integrate into such a world as quickly as possible.near and dear environment. "Fueled" by the revolutionary transformations, the composer wrote "Cantata", taking words for it from many well-known political sources: Lenin's book, the Communist Manifesto and the Constitution itself.

Sergey Prokofiev is one of the great composers who skillfully reflects the spirit of his time and his native people, despite all the barriers and prohibitions. His works are imbued with power, a kind of harmony. A symphony orchestra, a concert hall, and a music academy are named after the great conductor, pianist and composer. The museum-apartment of this great man can be visited in the capital of Russia.