Prokofiev, S.: Queen of Spades Suite / On Guard for Peace

Featuring

Neeme Järvi
Irina Tchistjakova
Niall Docherty
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus

Sergei Prokofiev

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Composer Biography

In 1936, Sergey Prokofiev moved with his family from Paris to Moscow, signaling his rapprochement with the Soviet regime.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The text for "On Guard for Peace" by Samuil Marshak, emphasizes a message of peace from the perspective of children, stating: 'We do not want war. Peace to all people on Earth. There is room on the planet for all.'

Composition History

Prokofiev's incidental music for Mikhail Romm's film of "The Queen of Spades" originally comprised twenty-four numbers, but four were left unorchestrated due to Stalin's political directives.

Compositional Technique

Michael Berkeley's arrangement of "The Queen of Spades" incorporates themes Prokofiev reused in other works, such as the slow movement of the Fifth Symphony and the Eighth Piano Sonata.

Composition History

Prokofiev's oratorio "On Guard for Peace" was composed in 1950, a time when he faced significant artistic restrictions from the Soviet regime.

Composition History

The Symphonic Suite adapted from "The Queen of Spades" on this album was arranged and elaborated by Michael Berkeley in 2007-2008 at the request of the Royal Ballet and choreographer Kim Brandstrup.