Prokofiev’s Piano Works: A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by One of the 20th Century’s Greatest Composers
Sergei Prokofiev, a composer who represents the 20th century in Russia.
His music—often described in terms such as “socialist realism” and “the Soviet Union’s leading musician”—reflects his feelings about war and the turbulent state of world affairs.
Prokofiev is also known for leaving behind a great number of large-scale works, including symphonies, concertos, operas, and ballets, but his piano pieces are every bit as outstanding!
In this article, we’ll introduce selections from his piano works—both the pieces most frequently performed and those that let you fully savor “Prokofiev-ness,” with its abundant use of dissonance and irregular meters.
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[Prokofiev’s Piano Works] A curated selection of masterpieces left by the greatest composer of the 20th century (11–20)
Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83, Movement IIISergei Prokofiev
The third movement of Sergey Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No.
7 in B-flat major, Op.
83, one of his most famous piano sonatas.
Reflecting its wartime theme, the piece exudes an incessantly restless atmosphere.
The performance itself is extremely demanding: while playing lightly with staccato, the pianist must still maintain a powerful character.
Above all, the work’s defining feature is its 7/8 meter.
This unusual time signature is seldom heard even in contemporary music, so it may take some effort to get comfortable with the rhythm.
In conclusion
Many people find themselves bewildered by the mysterious sonorities and complex structures of Prokofiev’s music. However, if you listen to or play it with an understanding of the background of its composition and the circumstances the composer faced, you’ll likely discover quite a few points you can relate to. Why not take this opportunity to explore the world of Prokofiev?