Composer

:

Sergey Prokofiev

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1915

Average_duration

:

56:49

Chout is a ballet composed by Sergey Prokofiev in 1915-1920. The plot of the ballet revolves around a buffoon named Chout who is hired by a wealthy merchant to entertain his guests. Chout's antics include stealing food and drink, flirting with the merchant's wife, and generally causing chaos. However, when the merchant discovers that Chout has also stolen his money, he orders his execution. Chout is then brought back to life by a group of demons who take him to their underworld, where he is forced to dance for their amusement. The premiere of Chout took place on May 17, 1921, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The ballet was choreographed by Fyodor Lopukhov, with sets and costumes designed by Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova. The music of Chout is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies, irregular rhythms, and unconventional orchestration, which reflect Prokofiev's interest in modernist trends in music. Chout is divided into three movements, each of which corresponds to a different stage in the plot. The first movement, titled "The Buffoon's Tricks," introduces the character of Chout and his mischievous behavior. The music is fast-paced and energetic, with frequent changes in tempo and meter. The second movement, "The Merchant's Wife," features a slower, more lyrical melody that reflects the romantic tension between Chout and the merchant's wife. The final movement, "The Buffoon's Death and Resurrection," is the most dramatic and intense, with a series of dissonant chords and frenzied rhythms that accompany Chout's execution and subsequent resurrection. Overall, Chout is a highly original and innovative work that showcases Prokofiev's unique musical style and his ability to create vivid and memorable characters through music. Its premiere was a critical and commercial success, and it remains one of Prokofiev's most popular and frequently performed ballets.

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