Composer

:

Sergey Prokofiev

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1944

Average_duration

:

35:18

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Sergey Prokofiev's 'Russian Folksongs (12), Op. 104' is a collection of twelve songs for voice and piano, composed in 1943. The work was premiered in Moscow on December 19, 1943, with the composer himself at the piano and the soprano Nina Dorliak as the soloist. The twelve songs in the collection are based on traditional Russian folk melodies, which Prokofiev arranged and harmonized in his own unique style. The songs are divided into three groups of four, with each group representing a different region of Russia: the North, the Central region, and the South. The first group of songs, representing the North, is characterized by its use of modal harmonies and simple, repetitive melodies. The second group, representing the Central region, features more complex harmonies and a greater variety of melodic material. The third group, representing the South, is the most rhythmically lively and features a greater use of syncopation and irregular meters. Throughout the collection, Prokofiev's piano accompaniments are highly virtuosic and often feature intricate figurations and rapid passagework. The vocal lines are also highly expressive, with a wide range of dynamics and vocal colors. Despite their folk origins, Prokofiev's arrangements of these songs are highly sophisticated and reflect his own unique musical language. The 'Russian Folksongs' are a testament to Prokofiev's ability to fuse traditional folk music with modernist compositional techniques, creating a work that is both deeply rooted in Russian musical tradition and highly innovative in its approach.

More....