Piano Concerto No. 5 (Prokofiev)
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The last complete piano concerto by Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, (Op. 55) dates from 1932.
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[edit] Background
Having just written a piano concerto for left-hand (Piano Concerto No. 4), Prokofiev decided to write a new piece for piano (for both hands) and orchestra. Being in five movements and not conforming to the traditional concerto form, the composer originally called it Music for Piano and Orchestra, but later was persuaded by his good friend Myaskovsky to term it a piano concerto.
[edit] Movements
The concerto lasts 20-25 minutes, with five movements:
- Allegro con brio (4-5 min)
- Moderato ben accentuato (3-4 min)
- Toccata: Allegro con fuoco (1-2 min)
- Larghetto (6-7 min)
- Vivo (5-6 min)
[edit] Instrumentation
The work is scored for solo piano, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani, bass drum, snare drum and strings.
[edit] Analysis
The concerto exudes a particularly boisterous, even blustering atmosphere. The movements one to three feature similar themes, the first and third begin similarly, all three captivate largely by their rhythm. The second begins with lightning glissandi, introducing a dancing theme, later contrasted by more spreading motions. It ends in curiosity.
The fourth movement comes as a bit of a surprise after what seems to be a fairly closed work. It is the longest and accordingly the slowest of all and has a climax of heroic grandeur. The Vivo opens poignantly, then goes over into a quieter mood, making use of the unconventional Locrian mode. The concerto ends at a blazing volume.
[edit] Premiere
Prokofiev (piano), Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler.
[edit] External links
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