Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125, cello and piano ; Sergei Prokofiev (Boosey & Hawkes)

Sinfonia Concertante, Op.125 for cello and piano by Sergei Prokofiev

Edited by Mstislav Rostropovich. Published by Boosey & Hawkes

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was a significant composer of the 20th century and one of Russia's most important composers. His music is instantly recognizable by its offbeat, song-like lyricism, distinct, often crunchy harmonies, and sharp, driving energy. His early work abroad gave him a reputation as a modernist enfant terrible; later, after returning to Russia, his style took on satirical and ironic elements, as well as more outwardly melodic textures. He is best known for his operas, symphonies, and concertos, though his chamber and solo music is also standard fare for string players.

Late in his life Prokofiev wrote many works for celebrated cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, the greatest masterpiece of these being the Sinfonia Concertante (Symphony-Concerto), Op.125 for cello and orchestra. He reworked material from an earlier cello concerto to create this larger, more substantial and demanding work of symphonic dimensions, where the cellist is not just virtuosic soloist but also storyteller. A slow first movement leads to a capricious second with a cadenza, ending with a characteristically sardonic parody of a folk song, a dig at the Soviet authorities. Master level, Grade 6.