Composer

:

Sergey Prokofiev

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

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1915 - 1917

Average_duration

:

20:38

Movement_count

:

20

Movement ....

Sergey Prokofiev's 'Visions fugitives (20), Op. 22' is a collection of 20 short piano pieces that were composed between 1915 and 1917. The work was premiered in 1918 in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) by the composer himself. The 20 pieces are each very short, ranging from just a few seconds to a couple of minutes in length. They are all characterized by their fleeting, elusive nature, with each piece seeming to disappear almost as soon as it has begun. This is reflected in the title of the work, which translates to "fleeting visions" in English. Despite their brevity, the pieces are incredibly varied in terms of mood and style. Some are playful and whimsical, while others are dark and brooding. Some are fast and frenetic, while others are slow and contemplative. Prokofiev's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies gives the pieces a modernist edge, but they are still very much rooted in the Romantic tradition. The 20 pieces are not intended to be played as a single continuous work, but rather as individual pieces that can be performed in any order. However, Prokofiev did group them into three "movements" based on their character. The first movement consists of pieces that are generally light and playful, while the second movement is more introspective and melancholy. The third movement is the most varied, with pieces that range from frenzied to serene. Overall, 'Visions fugitives (20), Op. 22' is a fascinating and highly original work that showcases Prokofiev's unique musical voice. Its brevity and variety make it a perfect introduction to the composer's style for those who are unfamiliar with his work.

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