Prokofiev: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2; Five Melodies

Featuring

Alina Ibragimova
Steven Osborne
Sergei Prokofiev

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Composer Biography

Serge Prokofiev, a pianist, composed several masterpieces for the violin despite never playing the instrument himself.

Historical Context

Prokofiev returned to the Soviet Union in 1936 with promises of privileges and a leading role in rebuilding Soviet music, but soon faced Stalin's 'Great Terror'.

Composition History

Prokofiev began his Violin Sonata No 1 in F minor Op 80 in 1938 amidst Stalin's 'Great Terror', drawing inspiration from fear, despair, and bereavement.

Composition History

Prokofiev's early exposure to the violin came from his childhood teacher, Rheinhold Glière, who practiced the instrument between lessons.

Composition History

Prokofiev collaborated closely with distinguished violinists, such as Paul Kochański and David Oistrakh, on his major violin works.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Prokofiev intended the rushing scalic passages in the Violin Sonata No 1 to sound 'like the wind in a graveyard', suggesting a memorial to those lost during Stalin's purges.

Composition History

The Five Melodies Op 35bis were originally composed as Five Songs without Words for mezzo-soprano Nina Koshetz, inspired by California's natural beauty.