Great Players of the Past: Sergei Prokofiev, with GM Ben Finegold

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  • Опубліковано 23 кві 2024
  • Sergei Prokofiev (April 27, 1891 - March 5, 1953) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. As the creator of acknowledged masterpieces across numerous music genres, he is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. By seven, he had also learned to play chess!
    This lecture was recorded on Wednesday April 17, 2024. Thank you to Nathan Black for sponsoring this lecture. “I’d like to dedicate the lecture to musicians who love chess!”
    08:15 Alexander Alekhine vs Sergei Prokofiev, Blindfold Simul 1914
    12:12 José Raúl Capablanca vs Sergei Prokofiev, Simul 1914
    21:26 Emanuel Lasker vs Sergei Prokofiev, Simul 1933
    29:19 Sergei Prokofiev vs Maurice Ravel, Mont La Joli 1924
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    #benfinegold #chess #Sergei Prokofiev
  • Ігри

КОМЕНТАРІ • 87

  • @Rubrickety
    @Rubrickety 19 днів тому +16

    In 1922 Prokofiev beat Botvinik in a blindfold composing competition, spotting him an oboe.

  • @matthewjohnson6938
    @matthewjohnson6938 19 днів тому +48

    Props to the sponsor, great idea for a lecture😅! I'm a classical music fan and did not know this about Prokofiev. Very fun intersection of interests. Go Sergei! But stay there.

    • @hygujiuy
      @hygujiuy 18 днів тому +1

      I like his sense of humor that helps keep chess fun for me

  • @RoxxorzYourBoxxorz
    @RoxxorzYourBoxxorz 20 днів тому +22

    don't spot a knight to the Dance of the Knights guy

  • @douglaslarosa8782
    @douglaslarosa8782 18 днів тому +3

    I was a classical musician for almost 20 years and played chess seriously for over 7 years, but I had no idea Prokofiev was such a Chad in chess! I was thrilled to watch this lecture ! Thank you VERY MUCH, Nathan and Ben! 🤗🤗

  • @PlguDctR-yb7mi
    @PlguDctR-yb7mi 20 днів тому +32

    "Chess is one of the only art in which composition and performance occur simultaneously" - Garry Kasparov
    Prokofiev in the background: "Someday that will be a Finegold lecture"

    • @Freakinawesome333
      @Freakinawesome333 19 днів тому +5

      I used to like that quote until I remembered how common improvisation is in performing arts (music, comedy, dance, etc.). It's not a rare thing at all lol

    • @raskalnekov
      @raskalnekov 19 днів тому +1

      @@Freakinawesome333 Today I learned that Garry Kasparov is an expert on both History and Art

    • @UncleDansVintageVinyl
      @UncleDansVintageVinyl 19 днів тому +4

      @@Freakinawesome333 I mean . . . jazz?

    • @f.d.3289
      @f.d.3289 19 днів тому

      Kasparov obviously doesn't know much about jazz and other improvisational music genres. Also many painters don't compose their images but just improvise spontaneously. But as always, Kasparov sounds (self-)important.

    • @PlguDctR-yb7mi
      @PlguDctR-yb7mi 18 днів тому

      @@f.d.3289 Indeed, a lot of music and other arts are improvised. Even a lot of classical music was improvised back in the day. Mozart concertos are almost all written with cadenzas and caprices intended to be improvised; only recently have non-improvised versions of piano concertos become the norm.

  • @henrycampbell8655
    @henrycampbell8655 20 днів тому +20

    For those who have never heard Prokofiev's music, I'd strongly recommend the following:
    Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1
    Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3
    Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 "Classical"
    Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 2
    I'm sure others will also suggest good pieces too!

    • @immanuellitzroth1905
      @immanuellitzroth1905 20 днів тому

      Piano Sonata 6,7 and 8...

    • @fawful303
      @fawful303 20 днів тому

      Lieutenant Kije, scythian suite, romeo and Juliette are wonderful as well. I've had the pleasure of playing some of his music as a trombonist in youth orchestras when I was younger. He wrote some fun stuff for us low brass

    • @subspace7290
      @subspace7290 20 днів тому

      and! the last 30 seconds of "only ash remains" by necrophagist 🤔🤔🤔😎

    • @thenoblegnuwildebeest3625
      @thenoblegnuwildebeest3625 19 днів тому

      Would add the second piano concerto as well

    • @michakowalski4578
      @michakowalski4578 19 днів тому

      If I'd create a list of composers Prokofiev for sure would be in top 4.

  • @flpsnk4848
    @flpsnk4848 20 днів тому +6

    I will always treasure when I played his Piano Concerto no. 3 with my professor (two pianos) on my academy graduation concert. I felt very excited when I learned he also played chess. It's amazing one can be such of a beast of a musician and still play chess on a master level. I'm not even close to be this good in both fields.

  • @fengardice
    @fengardice 19 днів тому +2

    When you're a master of the openings *and* the overtures! Impressive performance.

  • @runepk4life500
    @runepk4life500 19 днів тому +2

    Another fan of classical music and chess here. I had no clue Prokofiev was so strong. Fascinating!

  • @EgorTensin
    @EgorTensin 6 днів тому

    What an amazing idea from the sponsor!

  • @ThunderChickenBucket
    @ThunderChickenBucket 19 днів тому +3

    I did a double take and thought, " no way thats the same person as one of my favorite composers."

    • @ThunderChickenBucket
      @ThunderChickenBucket 19 днів тому

      I can speak to his composing, Prokofiev is very influential in orchestrating and film scoring, Lieutenant Kije Suite is worth a listen.

    • @pcrich7062
      @pcrich7062 18 днів тому

      I always thought it was two different Prokofievs!

  • @lyricsronen
    @lyricsronen 15 днів тому

    Prokofiev is a fantastic composer - most people are probably unknowingly familiar with several of his works (Peter and the Wolf, Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, etc). His compositions can be cerebral, complex and chess like in their structure, but at his core Prokofiev is a complete genius melodist, rivaling Tchaikovsky. I played in a performance of his 6th symphony several years back that I still think about to this day, that piece is so emotionally open and the melodies are just divine.

  • @the_arachnerd451
    @the_arachnerd451 18 днів тому +1

    It's so weird hearing Ben say Prokofiev when talking about chess to me , great idea for a lecture, ty ty.

  • @VFomalhaut
    @VFomalhaut 16 днів тому

    The early works of Prokofiev are some of my favorite, he had a really advanced music head. Awesome he played chess also.

  • @CodexPermutatio
    @CodexPermutatio 17 днів тому

    OK, Ben. You have already convinced me. I plan to listen to "The Dance of the Knights" on loop during my next lichess bullet tournament.

  • @jerryk1562
    @jerryk1562 17 днів тому

    I guess anybody is a great player, so far as somebody sponsors a lecture for them 🙂

  • @JojenReed
    @JojenReed 20 днів тому +2

    Been waiting on this one! I love love love the crossover!

  • @AG-ld6rv
    @AG-ld6rv 19 днів тому +1

    Big boy Ben been watching Simpsons, Seinfeld -- Ben watching Seinfeld, Simpsons. Every now and then, he plays chess as a hobby. He was watching TV, watching movies, and listening to music his whole life -- he also took some good naps -- and did chess as a side hustle much like Prokofiev primarily wrote music but sometimes played chess.

  • @bartoszmaniecki1806
    @bartoszmaniecki1806 20 днів тому +1

    Very interesing for me, as I am piano teacher in Poland 🎉❤

  • @Yengi-cw2ox
    @Yengi-cw2ox 20 днів тому +4

    Presumably it was Dance of the Knights?

  • @lucasfmhomem
    @lucasfmhomem 19 днів тому

    Didn't expect this video

  • @coralplaysgames5883
    @coralplaysgames5883 19 днів тому

    Another banger of a lecture

  • @michaelstallard8563
    @michaelstallard8563 20 днів тому +1

    I’m new to chess but enjoying these games and the history 👍

  • @elijahzarwan
    @elijahzarwan 18 днів тому

    Someone please sponsor a lecture on the games of Humphrey Bogart!

  • @joelcuerrier4833
    @joelcuerrier4833 19 днів тому

    Love chess, love music, didn't know the two combined so well.

  • @UncleDansVintageVinyl
    @UncleDansVintageVinyl 19 днів тому

    The game against Ravel is a ton of fun.

  • @joaquinpiriz7301
    @joaquinpiriz7301 19 днів тому +6

    Go musicians who love chess

  • @jacobrose7973
    @jacobrose7973 18 днів тому

    So cool for my worlds to collide like this as a music grad student and chess fan!

  • @polyton4539
    @polyton4539 19 днів тому

    my parents have an oldschool chess clock like this, it is awesome :)

  • @sbwells01
    @sbwells01 19 днів тому +4

    After Rf5+, black's position
    ( •_•)
    ( •_•)>⌐■-■
    Unravels
    (⌐■_■)
    YEEEAAAHHHH🎸🎶

    • @alexanderkidd7351
      @alexanderkidd7351 19 днів тому

      I can imagine Bolero playing in the background as Ravel realizes that his king is out of squares and he’s getting mated. It’s almost like he forgot that development is just as important in chess as it is in music 🔥

  • @drewpenner536
    @drewpenner536 19 днів тому

    Needed some Peter and the Wolf playing lightly in the background!

  • @chessanthemum
    @chessanthemum 20 днів тому +18

    I see Ben Finegold, I click

  • @alhfgsp
    @alhfgsp 19 днів тому

    Prokofiev won a piano competition playing his own first piano concerto even after he was told not to play it beforehand.

  • @erickent4248
    @erickent4248 20 днів тому +24

    Prokofiev was a great composer, and now a great decomposer.

  • @fore101
    @fore101 19 днів тому

    My brother’s friend is his grand nephew. He is a musician, and a chess player

  • @surfingmantis6162
    @surfingmantis6162 19 днів тому

    Well, his most famous piece is "The dance of the knights" from Romeo and Juliet (I warmly recommend the recording with the director Georg Solti)

  • @lewisr.c2806
    @lewisr.c2806 19 днів тому

    @16:20 Start from here

  • @NadavHbr
    @NadavHbr 18 днів тому

    I‘m a musicians who loves chess. Thanks

  • @jugglingbeast
    @jugglingbeast 19 днів тому

    Prokofiev was a 2400 player and a super GM in music.

  • @h0wnr681
    @h0wnr681 19 днів тому

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams" Man there's a Gene Wilder quote for everything. I really like the way Lasker just pushed him down in that game, reminds me of some of Carlsen's nicer games. Also Gukesh had some wins like that in the candidates, makes me think he could become one of the best ever.

    • @RoxxorzYourBoxxorz
      @RoxxorzYourBoxxorz 18 днів тому

      the great Wilder is quoting this one guy O'Shaughnessy

  • @paparatzz7531
    @paparatzz7531 20 днів тому +1

    Ben got so exited that he played good against world champions... Then I got exited Oistrakh was a chess player

  • @LordBrozart
    @LordBrozart 19 днів тому

    I had no idea my brother in music, Prokofiev was a chess player!

  • @135Pandemonium
    @135Pandemonium 20 днів тому +1

    Wow I love Prokofiev but I had no idea that he was strong at chess!

  • @matthewpaul985
    @matthewpaul985 20 днів тому

    Proper Chess player

  • @user-es3bf9lt2j
    @user-es3bf9lt2j 19 днів тому

    Very nice video, Morricone played chess too but certainly not at this level

  • @andreitiberiovicgazdovici
    @andreitiberiovicgazdovici 19 днів тому

    "It is a crime" against chess to play the open Sicilian, white exchanges the central pawn for the opponent's c-pawn, Larsen said it and G.M Finegold also quoted it. I would add, it is also a crime against chess that this channel has so few subscribers: for the content, it deserves at least 10 times as many...

  • @juhonieminen4219
    @juhonieminen4219 19 днів тому +2

    Anand and Smyslov only? I can't believe you have never played Kramnik. Online blitz maybe? Any opponent could be Kramnik using false account.

  • @brettdeccy9897
    @brettdeccy9897 19 днів тому +5

    Lasker died in 1941.... Does Grand Master finegold know anything???? Oh that's what he guessed...... Fries

  • @dordiwesterlund2528
    @dordiwesterlund2528 15 днів тому

    It goes even further. Prokofiev played a match with David Oistrach - and Oistrach won. It is very unfortunate that these games have no survived.

  • @carneades4409
    @carneades4409 19 днів тому

    wait what? I had no idea!

  • @user-lq3ft9zh8e
    @user-lq3ft9zh8e 19 днів тому

    At 8:00 Ben said that the only world champions he played were Smyslov and Anand but didn't he play Magnus also in the Pro-chess league?

  • @SkateSka
    @SkateSka 19 днів тому

    It's like he beat up Capablanca even worse than he did Alekhine. That's crazy.

  • @scheimong
    @scheimong 20 днів тому

    Always comment. Rawr!

  • @temperedwell6295
    @temperedwell6295 17 днів тому

    Menachem Begin also played chess. How good was he?

  • @williamblake7386
    @williamblake7386 20 днів тому +1

    Hey, i know his music

  • @garysikon1812
    @garysikon1812 19 днів тому

    Prokofiev died a few hours after Stalin. Shostakovich said Prokofiev was so happy when he heard the news he had a heart attack on the spot and died. His apartment was on red square and they couldnt get his body out because of all the people lining up to view Stalins body.

  • @xwngdrvr
    @xwngdrvr 19 днів тому

    Prokofiev had a pretty good alibi for Stalin's death

  • @adomaskuzinas2137
    @adomaskuzinas2137 19 днів тому

    The amount of people that believe Prokofiev did CHESS composition is too damn high!

  • @matthewpaul985
    @matthewpaul985 20 днів тому

    Pictures at an exhibition

  • @answeris4217
    @answeris4217 19 днів тому

    Didn't you play Magnus in the pro league. And Didn't he play a very suspicious move to beat you???

  • @matthewpaul985
    @matthewpaul985 20 днів тому +1

    Ravel

  • @newzild1
    @newzild1 16 днів тому +1

    Taimanov (concert pianist) and Smyslov (opera singer) are my top picks for music people who can play chess. Sting, on the other hand, is a terrible chess player.

  • @charliemurphy1269
    @charliemurphy1269 19 днів тому

    PROKOFIEV??

  • @Someone-tn8ur
    @Someone-tn8ur 19 днів тому +2

    He was indeed a great composer, but now he is a great decomposer.

  • @jeffreyfisher3115
    @jeffreyfisher3115 19 днів тому

    Maurice Ravel was not a "10"

  • @theodentherenewed4785
    @theodentherenewed4785 17 днів тому

    So Prokofiev was not only a more profficient musician than Ravel, but also a better chess player. Was he better at everything? The truth hurts.

  • @TheGloryofMusic
    @TheGloryofMusic 17 днів тому

    Prokofiev is generally not considered to be among the top figures in Twentieth Century music, e.g., Schoenberg, Stravinsky (the Rite of Spring), and Bartok.