Someone know anything interesting about the war-sonatas by Prokofiev? I'm writing a presentation about them and it would be nice to exchange different interpretations etc.!

If you search the archives(not easy to do) for the last two weeks of July 2009, there was an interesting thread I started after hearing a teacher at Mannes IKIF comment on one of the sonatas. I'll try and find it.

Here it is. You have to go near the end where Braginsky explains things to find out the correct answer.

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1237334/Re:%20Secret%20code%20in%20Prokofiev%20S.html#Post1237334

I'm not sure whether I really "know" this, but one little nugget I've always found interesting is the way, towards the end of the first movement of the sixth sonata, the chords sound like a wailing siren, slowly descending in pitch by Doppler effect as the siren drives away. An ambulance, a police siren, some other wartime testimonial, or just pure music?

I'm sure this image is not original with me.


-Jason

Taklomaninov, your presentation would be most effective if you tell your audience what is most interesting to you. Deciding on such things shouldn't be that much of a hassle.

If you're trying to use this forum to get others to do your homework -- well, that sort of thing just doesn't go well.

Do some research.

Possible idea for the presentation: "Why piano sonatas 6, 7, and 8 by Prokofiev should never be referred to as 'war sonatas' "

Of course I will do. It was never my intention to get others to do my homework. It's just interesting listening to other people's opinions and different interpretations. I'm sure that the people in this forum knows a lot of trivialities in the sonatas that you don't find in any book.

Yes, I've actually thought about it. Most of the material was written before the great patriotic war. I agree with those saying that it is his hatred against Stalin which is imaged in these sonatas. The only war in the sonatas are the one inside his head.

Do anyone know why the 7th sonata has the nickname 'Stalingrad'?

I always assumed it was simply because of the timing and importance of that particular battle - it's a convenient coincidence. I don't know that there was anything specific in Prokofiev's mind.

Theorists have said that "Stalingrad" marked the death of Romanticism and a new mechanical age where straight lines and their axes ruled culture. It used to be called St Petersburg, one of the great cutural centres of the western hemisphere. The emergence of Stalingrad resulted in devestment of culture and investment in totalitarianism. In practically a "one size fits all" approach to governed freedoms (sic) marginalises prodigy as prodigy thrives on the freedom to self expression. Greats like Prokofiev can manipulate any system, of course, as he exploits the lack of understanding of his genius.

There are very few works I have given up on, and as fantastic as it is, the stretches (with really need to be stretched) preclude me from a serious attempt at the 1st movement of his 7th Sonata. I love the dynamic vibrance of the final movement. I recommend anyone with elevated technique have a go at this one.