Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky / Lieutenant Kije Suite
10/18/2006, 12 Tracks, 58:18
Featuring
Jean-Claude Casadesus
Ewa Podleś
Orchestre National de Lille
State Choir Latvija
Sergei Prokofiev
Did you know?
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Composer Biography
Unlike Stravinsky and Rachmaninov, Prokofiev left Russia with official permission and intended to return, which he did in 1936.
Compositional Technique
In Alexander Nevsky, Prokofiev avoided using music contemporary with the 13th-century events depicted, but gave the Teutonic crusaders a Latin text and harsh brass chords.
Composition History
Prokofiev and film director Sergey Eisenstein worked closely on Alexander Nevsky, with music sometimes preceding scenes or composed immediately after viewing initial film rushes.
Composer Biography
Sergey Prokofiev, the composer, began composing at age five and was tutored by composer Glière at home.
Performer Biography
Ewa Podleś, the mezzo-soprano on this recording, is widely regarded as the world's foremost contralto due to her distinctive voice of staggering range, agility, and amplitude.
Composition History
The cantata Alexander Nevsky is drawn from music Prokofiev wrote in 1938 for Sergey Eisenstein's film about a 13th-century conflict, which had contemporary relevance due to the threat from Nazi Germany.
Composition History
The music for Lieutenant Kijé was written in 1933 for a film satire on official stupidity set during the time of Tsar Paul, son of Catherine the Great.
