Serge Prokofiev’s “Symphony Classique,
Opus 25”
&
Xian Xinghai’s “Yellow River Piano
Concert”
Serge Prokofieff
Russian composer, pianist, and
conductor
Born in 1891 in Sonstavoska and died
in 1953
Some of his best known works are the
suite Lieutenant Kije the ballet Romeo
and Juliet
Lived during the Russian Revolution,
left the country in 1918 residing in Paris,
the United States and Germany
In 1936 he moved back to Russia and
was forced due to finances to compose
for Stalin
Characteristics
His compositions were innovative
Known for strange new harmonies, dynamic rhythms
and lots of humor
He had a full portfolio of compositions by age of 13
when he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory
St. Petersburg Conservatory
Developed a reputation for being a rebellious
composer
He considered school to be boring
Labeled as arrogant
Graduated with poor grades
Shows his natural talent for composition
Symphony No. 1, Opus 25
Prokofiev’s compositions were often
imitations of his favorite composers
Symphony No. 1 in D Major Opus 25 was
an imitation of the styles of Haydn and
Mozart
One of the first neoclassical compositions,
reflects modern compositional practices
Four movements: allegro, larghetto, gavotta,
and finale
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2
horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings
Xian Xinghai
Native of Guangdong Province
(1905-1945)
Raised by impoverishd single
mother, no steady home
First Chinese student to enroll in
Paris Music Academy in 1934
Composed Yellow River Cantata
in six days in a cave
Yellow River Cantata
Great historical significance, very nationalistic
Song of inspiration for Chinese people during horrific
genocide
The song has become a Chinese symbol of heroism
and solidarity
Yellow River Piano Sonata
Adapted from Yellow River Cantata by a group of
musicians from the Central Philharmonic Society in
1969
Composed during anti-Japanese war and Cultural
Revlution, bears great historical significance
Chinese folk instruments
Pentatonic scales
His Composition
European influence: use of piano
to capture tones and moods
Western choral textures
The Yellow River Cantata was
transformed into a composition
for an entire Western Orchestra
Utilization of Western
instruments
Rhythm: Prokofiev
Begins allegro 100 bpm
2/2
Pattern of quarter note
followed by six eighth
notes
Variety of notations:
stacatto, tenuto, slur,
accents, leggiero, caesura
Each section has a
different tempo
Rhythm: Xian Xinghai
Begins vivace, 152 bpm
Shifts between ¾ and 2/4 throughout
Sixteenth notes and eighth notes
Accents, ties in bass, slurs, grace notes, fermatas, triplets
Each movement has a different tempo from 54 to 160
Similarities
Little to no syncopation, notes land on accented
syllables
Fast and slow sections
The tempo changes dramatically with each section
Note values are similar throughout
Differences:
Xinghai
Frequent shifts in time
signature
Frequent shifts in tempo
Long runs of notes with equal
value (8th or 16th) with
chromaticism
Quick runs extend for longer
periods
Prokofiev
• Constant time signature
throughout
• Four Movements: Allegro,
Larghetto, Gavotta, Finale
• Quick runs are grouped in
flurries
Works Cited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Prokofiev
http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07082008094928/unrestricted/dissertation.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian_Xinghai