The impetus for Sergei Prokofiev’s First String Quartet got here from America.
In 1930, Prokofiev acquired the fee from the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Basis of the Library of Congress. The Brosa Quartet premiered the work in Washington, D.C. on April 25, 1931. On the time, Prokofiev lived in exile in Paris, having fled his place of birth shortly after the 1917 Russian Revolution. In 1936, he would return dwelling, telling pals, “I need to see the true winter once more and listen to the Russian language in my ears.”
Prokofiev’s First Quartet unfolds in three actions moderately than the everyday 4, and is about in B minor. It’s an uncommon key for a string quartet, and one which falls a semitone beneath the underside string (C) of the viola and cello ranges. In preparation, Prokofiev studied the string quartets of Beethoven whereas touring by practice throughout the USA throughout an prolonged live performance tour. “That’s the supply of the moderately ‘classical’ language of the quartet’s first part,” he later commented.
The primary motion (Allegro) begins with a unusual, surprise-filled melody, launched by the primary violin, and propelled ahead by an exuberant motor within the accompanying devices. Because the motion continues, the 4 instrumental voices are drawn into an exhilarating and more and more complicated contrapuntal dialog.
The opening of the second motion (Andante molto – Vivace) is haunting and introspective. Then, instantly the music shifts into an exuberant quick tempo. What at first appears to be the sluggish motion we would have anticipated turns shortly right into a biting and spirited scherzo.
The ultimate motion (Andante) delivers one other shock. It leaves behind all that got here earlier than and strikes right into a lamenting and nostalgic panorama. The important thing of Bach’s most important Mass and Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony, B minor, has been related to melancholy, “emotions of quiet expectation, calm awaiting destiny, and submission to divine will.” These qualities might be heard all through the motion. At moments, the music evokes anguish amid rising rigidity. The ultimate icy notes sink into gloom and fade away.
I. Allegro:
II. Andante molto – Vivace:
III. Andante:
Recordings
- Prokofiev: String Quartet No. 1 in B minor, Op. 50, Pavel Haas Quartet Amazon
Featured Picture: “Summer time Panorama” (1929), Kazimir Malevich
