Prokofiev: Piano Works

Featuring

Julius Asal
Sergei Prokofiev

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Compositional Technique

Prokofiev's compositional style, particularly in his early works, is described as a multi-layered approach combining four parallel lines: classical, modern, motor, and lyrical.

Performer Biography

Julius Asal, the German pianist on this album, began improvising on the piano and playing by ear autodidactically shortly after the turn of the millennium.

Composer Biography

Sergei Prokofiev, the composer, was considered an 'enfant terrible' in his youth, known for being headstrong, provocative, and fully aware of his immense abilities.

Composition History

Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo and Juliet" was his first major success after returning to the Soviet Union, following a period from 1918 to 1936 spent in the USA and France.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Prokofiev possessed a remarkable ability to drastically change musical scenarios, moving from euphoria to collapse, and making dark colors suddenly shine.

Recording & Production

The piano used for this recording is a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, provided by Clemente Pianos.

Interpretation

Pianist Julius Asal arranged six additional pieces from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" for piano, expanding the original piano suite by about half its duration and adding new thematic connections.