Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was one of the leading composers of the 20th century. Hailing from Russia (which later became the Soviet state), he spent a good deal of his formative time in the United States, Germany and France. He was known as a concert pianist, however, in his later years he preferred the life of a composer rather than the touring schedule of a performing soloist.
His compositions are varied in style and setting, ranging from solo piano works through to symphonic works and ballets. The work that most people would know him for would be his orchestral setting of the story of "Peter and the Wolf".
He wrote two violin sonatas, of which this is the second. It was originally composed as a flute sonata, but (absolutely no bias here!) it absolutely kicks arse as a violin sonata as the violin is just a much better instrument than the flute!
However, in the interests of fair play, I will also include a good performance of the sonata on flute!
The piece as a whole, was one of my favourite pieces in my repertoire when I was a modern Classical violinist. The piece is one that entices you to use the range and abilities of the violin to its fullest, and I also think it is a particularly engaging piece to listen to (not being caught up in ivory tower music compositional techniques!).
The Performers
Gidon Kremer and Marta Argerich are giants in their own rights as a solo pianist and solo violinist. For decades they have been at the top of their individual professions, and for them to team up as a duo makes for an absolutely amazing performance! The ease of their playing and the flexibility of their duo partnership is really quite something to behold.
They are two of my favourite performers, and I have always enjoyed their recordings and concerts from the very beginnings of my studies as a musician!
Previous Curating Music History posts
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Britten)
'Sonata in d minor for violin and continuo" (Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre)
'Sonata duodecima' for Violin and Continuo(Isabella Leonarda)
Chaconne from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (Lully)
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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://www.gamerjokerbreadder.com/2018/08/02/curating-music-history-last-movement-from-violin-sonata-2-prokofiev/