CVI. PROKOFIEV, Sergei (1891-1953)
Like Shostakovich, and many other Russian composers during the Stalin era, Prokofiev was forced to "hide" his true feelings within the actual notes of his compositions.
The Sixth piano sonata (the first of the "War Sonatas) is such a work.
Vsevolod Meyerhold was one of the great theatre directors of all time. (Stanislavsky's dying wish: ". . . take care of Meyerhold, he is my sole heir in the theatre -- here or anywhere else.")
Meyerhold and his wife were both victims of Stalin's "Great Purge" -- Meyerhold was tortured incessantly before his execution by firing squad on February 2, 1940. From then on, Shostakovich -- whom Meyerhold had personally "discovered" -- kept a suitcase packed, always ready to flee at a moment's notice.
The Sixth Sonata is violently dissonant, sometimes tragic, sometimes parodic, always solemnly serious. It is extremely difficult, technically. Notice Ms. Wang has it memorized!
First Movement
The work opens with a sharply chromatic motif that bounces between A Major and Minor:
A softer, lyrical phrase follows shortly (1:44):
The material is developed, recapped, and ends with great dynamic contrast (8:35):
Second Movement
Softly marching (8:57):
to rippling marching (9:50):
Third Movement
A soft, slightly mournful waltz (13:29):
Fourth Movement
A typical fast Prokofiev Vivace (20:41):
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