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Sergey Prokofiev
A comprehensive, revealing biography of the versatile Russian composer and pianist.
Daniel Jaffé
Editions:
Price: USD$24.95
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- A revealing and comprehensive biography of Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953), versatile Russian composer and pianist, who is best known for the ballet Romeo and Juliet and Peter and the Wolf
- Examines the works of Prokofiev, who primarily wrote for the stage but who also contributed to the genres of symphony and concerto with works inseparable from the political context in which they were composed
- Shows how pressure from Soviet authority, following his return to Russia after years abroad, stimulated as much as it limited his creativity - ultimately leading to the denunciation of his music in 1948 as 'formalistic'
- Paperback
- English
- 220 x 156 mm, 8 5/8 x 6 1/8 in
- 240 pp
- 80 black and white illustrations
- ISBN-13: 9780714835136
- ISBN-10: 0714835137
The versatile composer and pianist Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) is among the most significant and individual figures in twentieth-century Russian music. Best known for the ballet Romeo and Juliet and his piece for children Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev wrote primarily for the stage and also contributed notably to the genres of symphony and concerto.
The pressure from Soviet authority, following his return to Russia after years abroad, stimulated as much as it limited his creativity, leading ultimately to the denunciation of his music in 1948 as 'formalistic'. This revealing and comprehensive biography examines Prokofiev's works - wild, brilliant, lyrical, sometimes unashamedly over-the-top - as inseparable from the political background of their composition.
'...a thoroughly researched and well-balanced appraisal of Prokofiev's life and works, beautifully presented in tandem with some fascinating and previously unavailable photographic illustrations. Jaffé handles the very difficult task of interweaving narrative and discussion of the works with commendable aplomb...surely one of the best written books in Phaidon’s series.' (Classic CD)
'...an extensive biography of one of the 20th century’s foremost composers. Daniel Jaffé...has combined an intimate portrait outlining the life and social circle of Sergey Prokofiev with a full account of the political climate that shaped his career.' (Bath Chronicle)
'Here is an excellent introduction to the life, character and music of a man Jaffé rightly describes as one of the best loved yet least known of all 20th century composers.' (BBC Music Magazine)
'In the same series comes Daniel Jaffé’s Sergey Prokofiev, concise but remarkably rich in detail about the life of this enigmatic Russian composer whose death was overshadowed by that of Stalin on the same day.' (Birmingham Post)
'...Jaffé...brings insight into how Prokofiev’s life and work intertwined... reliable...a clear introduction to the composer.' (SCRSS [Society of co-operation of Russian & Soviet Studies])
'Among modern composer-biographies, Daniel Jaffé’s Prokofiev (Phaidon, £14.95) stands out as exemplary.' (The Independent Weekend Review)
'As a series, Phaidon's 20th Century Composers has brought remarkable variety and a welter of information, both necessary and delightfully trivial. Intended both for the general reader and for the more enthusiatically musical...' (The Scotsman)