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Prokofiev and His Classical Symphony
Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony Premieres
Sergei Prokofiev conducts the premiere of his Classical Symphony in St. Petersburg.
Prokofiev began work on his Symphony No. 1 in D major (Op. 25) in 1916, finishing it on September 10. It is written in loose imitation of the style of Haydn and Mozart.
The symphony is commonly known as Classical Symphony, a name given to it by Prokofiev himself. It was first performed on April 21, 1918 in St. Petersburg, (formerly Petrograd) conducted by Prokofiev himself.
The symphony is in four movements, and lasts only about ten to fifteen minutes:
- Allegro
- Larghetto
- Gavotta: Non troppo allegro
- Finale: Molto vivace
Lasting only about ten to fifteen minutes, it is scored for a classical period orchestra consisting of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings.
Classical Symphony is one of Prokofiev’s most popular works.
Prokofiev – Symphony no. 1 ‘Classical’ (1)
YouTube Video Credit:
Prokofiev “Classical Symphony”, uploaded by Mimamelor. Accessed April 21, 2012.
Resources:
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Handel Oratorio Messiah
George Frideric Handel oratorio Messiah is first performed on April 13, 1742, in Dublin. In particular, it is customary for the audience, Christians and any believer of Christ’s birth and resurrection, to rise during the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” being carried away by the magnificence of Handel’s music.
Brief Information of Oratorio Messiah
Handel set Charles Jennens’ Biblical libretto to an oratorio music with much speed in the summer of 1741. In just 24 days, Messiah was completed, August 22–September 14. Like many of Handel’s compositions, Messiah is much adapted liberally from his earlier works and those of others. He wrote the piece while staying as a guest at Jennens’ country house in Leicestershire, England. It is thought that the work was completed inside a garden temple.
Read my full article here — Handel’s Oratorio “Messiah”
Related Article:
Handel’s Messiah for Christmas
“Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel Oratorio Messiah
Video Credit:
Handel’s Messiah “Hallelujah Chorus” (Robert Shaw)
Note: First published last year, April 13, 2011. Updated for April 13, 2012.
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Mozart Opera “The Magic Flute” First Performed
Mozart Dateline: September 30, 1791, The Magic Flute Premiered.
Wolfgang A. Mozart conducted his opera The Magic Flute in its first performance in Vienna. His librettist, Schikaneder, was also the first Papageno.
Die Zauberflöte, K. 620., (The Magic Flute) is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. This opera is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form which included both singing and spoken dialogue. It premiered in Vienna on September 30, 1791.
The premiere was at an out-of-town but not obscure theater. Schikaneder himself played Papageno, while the Queen was played by Mozart’s sister-in-law Josepha Hofer. The opera was not an immediate success, but slowly, it gained popularity. By November 1792, Schikaneder announced the opera’s 100th performance. Unfortunately, Mozart did not have the pleasure of attending his masterpiece as he died December 5, 1791.
Today, Die Zauberflöte remains one of the most-performed works of Mozart worldwide.
Check out these related articles: Mozart’s Opera The Magic Flute / Die Zauberflöte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Biography
Mozart – The Magic Flute – Overture (Levine / Met Orchestra)
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The Magic Flute – End
Video Credit (YouTube):
Mozart’s The Magic Flute Overture by Josito3
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Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat (A Soldier’s Tale) Premieres
Classical Music Dateline: September 28, 1918
Igor Stravinksy’s L’Histoire du soldat, for narrator and seven instruments was first performed.
Date: 28 September 1918
Venue: Lausanne, Municial Theatre
Conductor: Ernest Ansermet
Histoire du soldat (sometimes written L’histoire du soldat), is translated as The Soldier’s Tale or A Soldier’s Tale. It is a 1918 theatrical work “to be read, played, and danced” set to music by Igor Stravinsky.
The libretto, based on a Russian folk tale, was written in French by C.F. Ramuz. It has been translated into English by Michael Flanders and Kitty Black, and into German by Hans Reinhart.
Brief History of L’Histoire du soldat
The Soldier’s Tale is a morality play. It is a parable about a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil for a book that predicts the future of the economy. The music set by Igor Stravinsky is scored for a septet of violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, and percussion.
The play is in two acts, 6 scenes. The story is told by three actors:
- the soldier
- the devil
- a narrator
A dancer plays the non-speaking role of the princess, and there may also be additional ensemble dancers. The piece was written for small ensemble to compensate for the lack of players due to World War I (since so many were enlisted in the armed services).
A full performance of Histoire du soldat takes about an hour. There is a half-hour concert suite version, later arranged by the Stravinsky for violin, clarinet, and piano.
The music is in the modernist style, rife with changing time signatures. It is therefore commonly performed with a conductor, although some ensembles have elected to perform the piece without one.
You may want to check out Stravinsky’s opera The Nightingale.
Source:
Martin, N. I. The Da Capo Opera Manual. Da Capo Press (1997)
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