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Old January 18th, 2016 #13
Alex Him
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Sergei Prokofiev - Сantata "Alexander Nevsky", Op. 78







"Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (1891-1953) - (Russian: Сергей Сергеевич Прокофьев) was a Russian and Soviet composer, pianist and conductor. As the creator of acknowledged masterpieces across numerous musical genres, he is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. His works include such widely heard works as the March from The Love for Three Oranges, the suite Lieutenant Kijé, the ballet Romeo and Juliet – from which "Dance of the Knights" is taken – and Peter and the Wolf. Of the established forms and genres in which he worked, he created – excluding juvenilia – seven completed operas, seven symphonies, eight ballets, five piano concertos, two violin concertos, a cello concerto, and nine completed piano sonatas."

"Alexander Nevsky (Russian: Александр Невский) is the score composed by Sergei Prokofiev for Sergei Eisenstein's 1938 film Alexander Nevsky. The subject of the film is the 13th century incursion of the knights of the Livonian Order into the territory of the Novgorod Republic, the summoning of Prince Alexander Nevsky to the defense of Rus', and his subsequent victory over the crusaders in 1242 in the decisive Battle on the Ice. The majority of the score's song texts were written by the poet Vladimir Lugovskoy.

In 1939, Prokofiev arranged the music of the film score as the cantata, Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78, for mezzo-soprano, chorus, and orchestra.


'Russia under the Mongolian Yoke': The opening movement begins slowly, and in C minor. It is meant to evoke an image of destruction, as brought to Russia by the invading Mongols.
'Song about Alexander Nevsky': This movement (B flat) represents Prince Alexander Yaroslavich's victory over the Swedish army at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. Alexander received the name 'Nevsky' (a form of Neva) in tribute.
'The Crusaders in Pskov': For this movement (C-sharp minor), Prokofiev's initial intention was to use genuine 13th century church music; however, the examples he found in the Moscow Conservatoire sounded so cold, dull and alien to the 20th century ear that he abandoned the idea and instead composed an original theme "better suited to our modern conception" to evoke the brutality of the Teutonic Knights.
'Arise, ye Russian People': This movement (E flat) represents a call to arms for the people of Russia. It is composed with folk overtones.
'The Battle on the Ice': The fifth (and longest) movement is arguably the climax of the cantata. It represents the final clash between Nevsky's forces and the Teutonic Knights on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus in 1242. The serene beginning (representing dawn on the day of battle) is contrasted by the jarring middle section, which is cacophonous in style.
'The Field of the Dead': Composed in C minor, the sixth movement is the lament of a girl seeking her lost lover, as well as kissing the eyelids of all the dead. The vocal solo is performed by a mezzo-soprano.
'Alexander's Entry into Pskov': The seventh and final movement (B flat) echoes the second movement in parts, and recalls Alexander's triumphant return to Pskov."

Text by Wikipedia.





Кантата для хора, меццо-сопрано и оркестра "Александр Невский", Op. 78 (1939) / Cantata for mezzo-soprano, chorus, and orchestra "Alexander Nevsky", Op. 78



1 - Русь под игом монгольским / Russia under the Mongolian Yoke
2 - Песня об Александре Невском / Song about Alexander Nevsky
3 - Крестоносцы во Пскове / The Crusaders in Pskov
4 - Вставайте, люди русские! / Arise, Russian People!
5 - Ледовое побоище / The Battle on Ice
6 - Мертвое поле / Field of the Dead
7 - Въезд Александра во Псков / Alexander's Entry in Pskov





Orchestra: USSR State Academic Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: E. Svetlanov
The Republican Choir Kapella
Artistic director A. Yurlov