Movatterモバイル変換

String Quartet No. 2 (Prokofiev)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sergei Prokofiev'sString Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92 (1941) was first performed by theBeethoven Quartet inMoscow on 7 April 1942.^[1] A later concert in Moscow, on 5 September 1942, was delayed by aNazi air raid and started late. Prokofiev thought it "an extremely turbulent success." The string quartet, lasting for 20–25 minutes, is in three movements.

Background

[edit]

Prokofiev, along with other Soviet artists, was evacuated from the major cities when the Nazis broke theirnon-aggression pact and invaded theSoviet Union in 1941. On August 8, 1941, Prokofiev traveled toNalchik with other artists, among them his friend, musicianNikolai Myaskovsky, actors, such asAnton Chekhov's widow, and others. Prokofiev stayed in the town ofNalchik, the provincial capital of theKabardino-Balkar Autonomous SSR, in theNorth Caucasus, about 900 miles south of Moscow (bordered by the European Russia, Turkey, and the Black and Caspian Seas). During this stay, Prokofiev was told by a government official to write a quartet usingKabardino-Balkar folk themes^[2] and wrote this string quartet, with themes based on folk tunes, rhythms and textures.

This quartet, along with thefirst, has entered the repertory of manystring quartets.

Movements

[edit]

The work is in threemovements:

Allegro sostenuto
Adagio
Allegro

Analysis

[edit]

Prokofiev utilized Kabardino-Balkar folk themes in his string quartet, while at the same retaining his unique style of harmonization. The folk music character is made evident by the string quartet's imitation of oriental plucked and percussion instruments, combined with resourceful use of sonic effects. The background accompaniment in the second movement attempts to imitate the playing of thekamancheh, a stringed instrument played by Caucasians.

Nikolai Myaskovsky, Prokofiev's close friend, wrote two works on Kabardino-Balkar themes, his 23rd symphony and 7th string quartet. The symphony shares a theme with the finale of Prokofiev's quartet.

References

[edit]

^Sorensen, Sugi (2005)."The Prokofiev Page - String Quartet No 2 in F major, Op 92". Allegro Media. Retrieved22 April 2012.
^Baron, John H. (1998).Intimate Music: A History of the Idea of Chamber Music atGoogle Books, p. 401

External links

[edit]

Prokofiev's String Quartet No. 2 on Classical Connect.
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 92: Scores at theInternational Music Score Library Project
- Video - Prokofiev String Quartet No 2 - Complete (22:24).
Prokofiev String Quartet No 2 in F major, Opus 92 (1941).

Sergei Prokofiev

List of compositions

Operas

Ballets

Symphonies

Concertos

Piano	No. 1 in D♭ major No. 2 in G minor No. 3 in C major No. 4 in B♭ major (left-hand) No. 5 in G major No. 6(unfinished)
Other	Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor Cello Concerto in E minor Symphony-Concerto for Cello in E minor Cello Concertino in G minor(unfinished)

Orchestral works

Film music

Vocal music

Chamber music

Piano music

Sonatas	No. 1 in F minor No. 2 in D minor No. 3 in A minor No. 4 in C minor No. 5 in C major (orig. & rev.) No. 6 in A major No. 7 in B♭ major No. 8 in B♭ major No. 9 in C major No. 10(unfinished)
Other	Toccata in D minor Sarcasms Visions fugitives Tales of an Old Grandmother March and Scherzo fromThe Love for Three Oranges Three Pieces fromWar and Peace Ten Pieces fromRomeo and Juliet Three Pieces & Six Pieces & Ten Pieces fromCinderella Fantasia on Scheherazade (1926)