Composer

:

Sergey Prokofiev

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

ca. 1942

Average_duration

:

20:30

The Ballad of an Unknown Boy, Op. 93 is a vocal cycle composed by Sergey Prokofiev in 1943. The premiere of the work took place in Moscow on December 19, 1943, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Ivan Petrov as the soloist. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a poem by the Russian poet Samuil Marshak. The poems tell the story of a young boy who is orphaned and forced to fend for himself in a harsh and unforgiving world. The music is characterized by Prokofiev's signature blend of modernist harmonies and folk-inspired melodies. The first movement, "The Orphan Boy," sets the scene with a mournful melody in the piano and a plaintive vocal line. The second movement, "The Boy and the Wind," is more lively, with a playful melody in the piano and a sprightly vocal line. The third movement, "The Boy and the River," is more contemplative, with a flowing piano accompaniment and a lyrical vocal line. The fourth movement, "The Boy and the Tree," is the emotional heart of the cycle, with a haunting melody in the piano and a soaring vocal line. The fifth movement, "The Boy and the Sun," is more optimistic, with a bright and sunny melody in the piano and a joyful vocal line. The final movement, "The Boy and the Moon," brings the cycle to a close with a dreamy melody in the piano and a wistful vocal line. Overall, the Ballad of an Unknown Boy is a powerful and moving work that showcases Prokofiev's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of a story in music. It is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift even in the darkest of times.

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