“The Wayward Prokofiev” #56 is a long-running docudrama about one of the most prominent and independent composers of the 20th century.
Today: The war is raging in the USSR and the cultural elite is being evacuated to the east of the country. Prokofiev travels with his new companion Mira Mendelssohn towards the Caucasus, unaware that they will soon leave there as well. When he had to flee, Prokofiev had many unfinished scores on his desk: ballets, operas, and some small symphonic works. Today’s attention is on his opera ‘The Engagement in the Monastery’, which ultimately premiered only in 1946, his symphonic suite ‘1941’, which he wrote during his flight, and works by his lifelong friend and pianist Sviastoslav Richter.
playlist:
Sergei Prokofiev. The Engagement in the Monastery op. 86 opening movement (1946) Stanislavsky Theatre Orchestra and Chorus and soloists conducted by Kemal Abdoullaiev. Featuring Nicolas Korchounov, Edouard Boulavine, and Vladimir Rozov.
Sergei Prokofiev. Symphony Suite ‘The Year 1941’ (1941). St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Titov.
Robert Schumann. Fantasy for Piano in C, Part I (1839). Sviatoslav Richter (piano).
