Composer

:

Sergey Prokofiev

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Sonata

Compose Date

:

1908 - 1917

Average_duration

:

17:33

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Sergey Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29 was composed in 1917, during the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution. The sonata premiered on December 10, 1918, in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), with the composer himself at the piano. The sonata is divided into three movements. The first movement, marked Allegro molto sostenuto, begins with a dark and brooding theme in the left hand, which is soon joined by a restless and agitated melody in the right hand. The two themes are developed and intertwined throughout the movement, creating a sense of tension and conflict. The movement ends with a quiet and mysterious coda. The second movement, marked Andante assai, is a lyrical and introspective interlude. The melody is simple and plaintive, with a sense of longing and nostalgia. The middle section of the movement is more turbulent, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies, but the opening melody returns at the end, bringing a sense of resolution and calm. The final movement, marked Allegro con brio, is a virtuosic tour-de-force. The opening theme is a rapid and frenzied cascade of notes, which is soon joined by a more playful and whimsical melody. The two themes are developed and combined in various ways, creating a sense of excitement and energy. The movement ends with a triumphant and exuberant coda. Overall, Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 4 is a powerful and expressive work, reflecting the turbulent times in which it was composed. The sonata combines elements of traditional classical forms with Prokofiev's own distinctive style, characterized by sharp contrasts, dissonant harmonies, and rhythmic complexity. The sonata remains a popular and challenging work for pianists today.

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