CCXXVI. PROKOFIEV, Sergei (1891-1953)
Symphony #2, Op. 40 (1924-25)
1. Allegro ben articolato (12:10)
2. Theme and Variations (24:48)
Theme: Andante
Variation 1: L'istesso-tempo
Variation 2: Allegro non troppo
Variation 3: Allegro
Variation 4: Larghetto
Variation 5: Allegro con brio
Variation 6: Allegro moderto
Theme
Berlin Philharmonic
Seiji Ozawa, cond.
Beethoven's final Piano Sonata #32 in C Minor, Op. 111 is in two movements -- a stormy, passionate opening followed by an arietta theme and variations.
Thomas Mann:
"farewell to the sonata form."
Prokofiev transposed this format for his Second Symphony (a work of "iron and steel"), written during a period of great experimentation (see Shostakovich's Second and Third Symphonies, for example -- modernist to the core, yet fulfilling the Revolutionary requirements with texts glorifying Soviet idealism).
The June 1925 premiere was not well-received. In a letter Myakovsky, Prokofiev wrote:
"I have made the music so complex to such an extent that when I listen to it myself I do not fathom its essence, so what can I ask of others?"
First Movement
The very first page of the score gives an indication of the ride the listener is in for:
Second Movement
Things calm down for the Theme and Variations, wtih a simple melody in the oboe, firmly in D Minor. One thing to notice -- the bass clarinet and bassi parts, which produce a nicely undulating bass part:
TEMA
TEMA
The first variation adds a gliding triplet rhythm to the rising TEMA line, in the first and second violins, moving from half notes to quarters:
VAR I
VAR I
And now 16ths with flutes on top:
VAR II
and now a return to the wide-interval leaps of the first movement, with a piano added for percussive effect ...
VAR III
VAR IV
VAR V
VAR VI
The final variation is in 7/4, with an almost dirge-like feeling with rumblings in the basses along with accented 1/4-notes:
But after all that "noise" -- the final bars are eerily hushed:
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