Prokofiev "War" Sonata #7 Valentina Lisitsa 1st mov. Allegro Inquieto
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
- Sonata #7, one of so called "war" sonatas, written mostly in 1942 , premiered in January 1943 by Richter.
A long bit of pre-history to how this sonata came along:
Prokofiev-the-human was not exactly a kind of person you would dream of to be your best friend As a kid studying in conservatory he was both nerdy and arrogant -- he never missed an opportunity flaunt his formidable talents in front of his older classmates ( he was by far the youngest in his class), yet he was so jealous of his fellow composers that he couldn't even hide his bile, not even when he wrote and re-wrote and re-edited (FOR POSTERITY! In his own admission ) his school-days diary to make himself look really good and smart....In fact , he was always smart and thought himself even smarter. How many underage musical school students do you, dear reader, know -- who trade their own stocks and bonds in a spare time from studying Beethoven Sonatas? Yes, me neither...
Anyway, he thought he will always outsmart everybody and for a while he was lucky. He escaped newly-hatched Soviet Russia just before the iron curtain closed, enjoying admiration of the West as a young brilliant composer from red Russia, hailed by critics as "an apostle of Bolshevism" . He commuted between trendy circles of Paris and US with ease while his compatriots were being enslaved and starved . He got himself a gorgeous trophy foreign wife, drove fast cars ,gambled a lot , made visits to Russia where he was feted as a celebrity ,incurred a lot of debts.... When time came to pay those debts he though he can once again outsmart everybody, by pulling a magic trick out of his fashionable hat -- by denouncing capitalist West and moving back to Mother Russia, safely out of reach of creditors. He did move -- and heard a clicking noise of mousetrap closing upon him. For the first time in his life he lost, he got caught - with no escape in sight. From a visiting globe-trotting celebrity he was turned overnight into a humble public servant, required to compose what and when the Communist party would order him. No more Romeos and Juliettes , now the music had to be about workers of factories and collective farms, or -- like he was made to write just before this Sonata -- a panegyric oratorio wishing happy birthday to Stalin.... Prokofiev was not interested in history or politics and his music never before reflected on sufferings of millions or entire nations ( like Shostakovich or Mussorgsky did ), he was always writing about himself and HIS feelings. We can't blame him for this, ok? It is enough to say that this music reflects mortal anxiety and fear that he and countless others felt in those years. The music of Allegro Inquieto is about this anxiety verging on hysterics, when you feel that something should be done, something MUST be done but you are powerless to do anything. Like a trapped animal that can't comprehend what awaits it, keeps hitting the walls or running around in its cage, aimlessly. And then , in the second -- contrasting - theme, stupor and reverie of most pitiful kind, passivity and pacifism of dying. One, only ONE thing , short 4 notes motive -- that stands apart through this entire movement . Tah-tah-tah-Daah. A triplet of 8th notes and a quarter, repeated over and over , low and high, loud and quiet. This is the SAME motive that traces its genealogy from this sonata back to Beethoven Appasionata and from there to Fifth Symphony famous theme, This rhythm stands in Morse code for a letter V , V is for VICTORY, the "secret" code known for what it meant even during radio broadcasts during the war. This V and 100s times it repeats is he only ray of hope in the vast abyss this movement is.
THIS IS THE HANDS DOWN ABSOLUTELY BEST RECORDING OF THE PROKOFIEV 7TH I HAVE HEARD. WHAT CLARITY, AND BRUTAL FORCE, AND MUSICALITY CUTTING THROUGH IT ALL. CONGRATULATINONS LISISTSA.
YOU ARE MY MUSE. RON
Truth spoken
Impeccable ! Whoa !
soldiers marching onward. . . my stepDad would practice this piece and break actual piano strings! It gave me nightmares when I was a young child, but I'm delighted to find I love this piece! This woman is unbelievable!
I heard it from some other pianists. It is the most brutal version. In other parts very romantic and tender. No doubt pure expression. I can feel the inhumanity of war. It is cold. It is war. BRAVO.No button for "I like this" - a button for "extraordinary feelings"
I've heard this from so many pianist, This is by far the best! Such control and expression! Superb!
Prokofiev may have been a flawed individual as all people are but he was probably one of the greatest composers of the 20th century Valentina. He was a profoundly original composer. I see you as one of the greatest living pianists.
Ms. Valentina, you are a first-class writer as well as being a stellar pianist and musician.
Your beautiful bio-psychological portrait gave me a deeper insight into one of my favorite composers!!
Wonderful performance in a class with Richter and Gould!!
Valentina Lisitsa is my favorite pianist. How in the world does she "remember" all of those notes? Her fingers fly across the piano keys like lightning. Simply amazing!
Wonderful. She displays such powerful control over the music. Just WONDERFUL.
I already knew that Valentina plays well, but here she plays Prokofiev on a Bösendorfer. That is even more fantastic!
Hans Hartmann She's just MAGIC...!
Hans Hartmann What does a Bösendorfer have to do with anything? Amazing how people have fallen for that brand name marketing scheme. "Oooh, Bösendorfer the name sounds exotic so it has to be good." The reality you and the rest of the masses can't tell the difference between it and other grands so just stop.
debussy843 It is possible that you can not distinguish between various sounds. Bösendorfer has a different construction system in the body part, actually the only one which still resembles pianos from the 19th century. While all other pianos (Steinway being also a fantastic piano, Yamaha, Kawai, Fazioli, etc.) have a similiar built which was introduced by Steinway when industrial production of pianos began. By the way I can distinguish between the sounds of a Steinway and a Bösendorfer, even when there is an electronic media distorting sounds a little bit. I suppose I am little bit different than the rest of the masses, as I have worked 6 years for Bösendorfer :)
Hans Hartmann I actually can believe that, there are musical savants that I'm sure can recognize the differences (I'm not one of them). But that's certainly less than 1% and the masses gushing about the bosendorfer don't know any better. Basically, if another music video was done where a steinway was used with the name smudged off and Bosen painted on, the same masses would gush about the unique sound that can only be produced by Bosen, blah blah blah. That's the reality.
debussy843 Personally, I am ready to admit that sometimes I was mistaken when trying to recognize the piano. One example being the fact that the Cologne concert by Keith Jarrett he had played on a Bösendorfer. I would have never believed that. (But 20 years later a very funny story was released about that.)
But your first comment reveals very much about you. The comment is condenscending and aggressive in some way, although you did not know anything about me. You can draw your own conclusions now what I think about you.
Valentina, you are wonderful. Thank you for both the performance and the historical context.
Prokofiev one of the greats of contemporary music. She provides an excellent and beautiful performance!
I just love how your finger appearance on the piano Ms. Listitsa. They seem soooo relaxed, but deliver power when needed whilst maintaining the relaxed look. Gorgeous!!
great interpretation, I like it - especially the good tempo, articulation and harmonic hearing/feeling but also the courage with pedaling. Beautiful second theme.
A proverb in Japan says "Heaven does not give two precious gifts at the same time". (=tenwa nibutuwo ataezu.=天は、ニ物 を 与えず。). But Mrs Valentina Ligitsa had already received the double gifts . Those are remarkable music talents at both aspects of physical and mental . At physical, I immediately noticed her long good shaped fingers and at mental, I found that she has intelligent and deep thoughts to the piano. As this Prokofiev's 7th sonata is called Steel's walk or War sonata,The pianists must find out primitive and violent atmosphere from this tune. In other words, this is an Anti-romantic music which is quite different from Chopin's Nocturne. Being conscious enough about those things, she is playing this. I've been listening to Prokofiev No.7 with various pianists like Horowitz,Pollini, Argerich. The performance which enchanted my heart the most is Mrs Valentina Ligitsa's.
One of the greatest piano sonatas ever! Love Prokofiev and what a grand performance by Valentina. Thanks for posting.
Wow, Valentina, thank you so much for this interpretation, my gosh, your sound is beautiful.
and I thought I would never like anyone else but Richter playing this - Bravo!
Thank you for the well written history in the description along with amazing playing. I understand now why this sonata is so frightening..
This is .. so incredible...
Prokofiev's music is so chaotic, and Valentina's playing with so much emotion..
Valentina, your "Prokofiev-sound" is very rich and alluring. I like your interpretation even more than both Richters and Goulds.
OMG.... 20th Century period hahaha.
Well, I really love when Lisitsa plays the piano! BRAVO!
I never get tired of watching you play this Piano Sonata. I know this is my second time commenting on it again but it becomes more intriguing everytime I listen to it. In fact what makes this piece alone so intriguing is the backstory behind it. And you Valentina bring it litterally to life. Thank you so much for everything.
I'm so happy this channel has been recovered!!!!
Yours is a scary version. The relentlessness, interweaving icy lamenting voices and thunderous noise of war.....it is an inspiration. Brilliant.
PS thanks for concerto no 2 at barbican last year. I was in 2 nd row and found it all consuming.
Nunca tinha visto essa forma de gravação do pianista!!!! Excelente tomada das câmeras. Dá outra expressividade para o vídeo. A interpretação está fantástica. Bravo!!!
her touch....is....omg
much touch
very omg
Totally in love how you play the last 3 bars...
There she goes, sailing into the top rank, handling this music, that usually sounds like galvanized tin on a bandsaw, with her growing majesty and grace. I'm trying to overdo it, am unable.
I've been waiting to hear Prokofiev played by you. Thank you! Definitely something to hear!
Love your Prokofiev!
One day you'll be here in Paraguay, South America. And that'll be the most awesome concert I'll enjoy in a lifetime.
I have to say, I LOVE your performance so much. You came to TN last year and the year before,your performances were so impressive and I was so honored to be able to have a master class with you. This Prokofiev sonata literately blew my mind and I have to listen to it every night before I sleep. Just thought I'd let you know how inspiring you are!!
I love it :D
I just started practising after I've seen the Performance of Khatia Buniatshivili about 2 weeks ago, and I simply love it.
One of Prokofievs best for sure
what wonderful words. your historical analysis is far more superior than any other pianists discussion on the piece. Thank you so much!
ahh... this sonata
Prokofiev, though fallible (as stated in the prehistory above) is probably one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. His personality is fused in every note of his music. This is a powerful interpretation of this masterpiece.
I loved reading the description!!!
Prokofiev has written some of the most ethereal melodies... My pathetic little repertoire is growing in Prokofiev fraction...
FINALLY! I have been waiting for ever for this to be on youtube. I heard it live (which is always better), but I didn't get to hear it more than once so this is amazing. Brilliante playing Meastro Lisitsa!!!
Thanks for sharing, both the words and the music.
Valentina you are not from this planet!!! Amazing !!!
Thank you for sharing your talent with us all. I wish you wonderful Holidays!....Will
finally! i have been waiting for your rendition of this Prokofiev sonata! thanks for sharing! :)
You are really cool Valentina, this is a beautiful interpretation. I've just started learning this piece and it's my favorite by my number one favorite composer.
He may have not been very likable but he was indeed one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. You play it so beautifully as you do everything else Valentina!
ich liebe diese sonate! super gespielt!!!!! bravo!!!
Lisitsa es una gran pianista,con una tecnica muy brillante capaz de grandes contrastes.
Eres real y sorprendente, me encantas. Una virtuosa del piano en nuestros tiempos, Te amo!
Wow, it was recorded the same day as Rach # 3 solo it looks like. Very excellent! :)
Simplement genial!! Bravo Valentina!
Bravo!! Absolutely wonderful!
La Divina Valentina it's God's favorite Pianist!!!
That black sweater is perfect for Prokofiev! "War" really demands dark colors...
A genius at work
Wonderful performance!
This would be a great background for an old-style horror/action/mystery movie
Beautiful- exciting - I wasn't familiar with this - I very much enjoy the changing camera views as well.
Valentina, your playing is beyond sublime and this is no exception but I have to agree with benzflix - I had the same reaction. Video gives us the priceless opportunity of sitting beside you, invisibly watching as well as hearing you play, but this director has me diving all over the place. But, today it is happening everywhere in film and TV - zooming, shifting camera angles and millisecond images. I find it so frustrating at times, particularly with dance and instrumental performances.
Valentina definitely love this sleeves :D
Wow, so different to the style of music you usually play but you excel as usual. The Bosendorfer must have wondered what hit it!
Thank you!
Just because you don't like or understand this piece, it doesn't mean that "it is not music". There are people that actually enjoy 20th century classical music.
Bravo
Merry Christmas Valentina. your talent inspires many to be better pianist including myself. I have to say Do you always like playing the hard that alway sounds scary?
i think i'm in love again
I don't understand this music at all. I think it's hideous, but I am so fascinated by it that I cannot turn it away.
Ashton Olsen Give it time. You will not regret it.
Incredible as usual :D
This is my favorite Prokofiev's sonata :3
finally played a Prokofiev piece.
I wish whoever edited this would calm down a little bit, this isn't a James Bond movie. All soft-focus shaky-camera. Wonderful piece.
Valentina herself made those edits. She herself said in the comments that the different angles that were filmed were not random at all but to highlight how unerving the piece was, and also to highlight certain key lines that the separate hands play; kind of like an orchestra syphony where the orchestra highlights key roles certain instruments play. She even said that the piece was not meant to be a realaxing piece to listen to.
Brock Fettes Better to close your eyes and just listen.
Amazing !
The timeline is a little vague, but according to Shostakovich's memoirs, Prokofiev drove over the young girl in a new Ford after he had moved back to Russia.
Great performance.
Yay! My favourite Prokofiev sonata! :D
Wow you really bring out the musicality in this piece, even more so than some of the great's renditions before you:)
Amazing playing as always but I got dizzy with the camera moving around.
Her hands and her fingers are incrediblle
Wonderful performance (I will probably never so do well with this piece) & a marvellous writeup on Profofieff & the music. :-)
My partner hated this piece when I played it; I recall him coming into the room with a 'look' on his face. "Is that Atonality?" he asked? (It isn't, but apparently the composer thought it was, according to my teacher, who remarked that Prokofieff's isolation in Communist Russia probably meant that Prokofieff didn't have a good understanding of what atonality was.)
Parabens,voce toca maravilhosamente
Come sempre molto brava. Mi piace molto la posizione delle tue dita sulla tastiera. Conosci il metodo Chang?
Genius!
Valentina, you are playing delightful pieces.
Are you going to release them on CDs sometime soon?
I guess the number of studio recordings would allow you to do so easily.
Great
I'm reworking this piece... and this... is just how I want it to sound... rather amazing...!
True, before the mid-1930s when Prokofiev returned to Russia, he wrote little or no music that expressed suffering. But that was also true of Shostakovich--his Fifth Symphony didn't appear until 1937 and all of his quartets appeared later. All his concertos, except the very light 1933 First Piano Concerto date to 1947 or later. So both Prokofiev and Shostakovich wrote tragic music only after Stalin's reign of terror began.
Just curious--what major Shostakovich work before 1936 expressed the suffering of millions dying? When I listen to The Bolt, Lady Macbeth, The Nose, 24 preludes, Aphorisms, early chamber works and the first four symphonies, I don't hear that kind of darkness. Symphonies 2 & 3 praised the Revolution and Lenin--so if anything, Shostakovich was unaware of what was going on.
Prokofiev drove "fast cars"? I'm not sure any car was fast then. As for Prokofiev not writing works about suffering--how about the 6th Symphony or the F minor Sonata for violin and piano? Ms. Lisitsa's performance of this first movement is a very good one. Bravo!
Awesome.One of Prokofievs greatest works.He also loved chess (like Valentina) and had a Masters rating.But PLEASE record all the Scriabin Etudes which are neglected masterpieces that are begging for a definitive rendition.
This piece really matches to my mood when studying for civics test...
My favourite piano sonate and my favourite pianist (because Richter is dead).
i like the way she moves her hands
she has played concertos 1, 2 and 3, unfortuntely not on youtube though.
grandios!!
interesting now I'll press play :)
Amazing !!! 0~0
"We are there, where we are needed."
Nevjerovatna...
Yes, there is some darkness in the works you mentioned, but in your head note you originally cited the "sufferings of millions or entire nations" in the music of Mussorgsky and Shostakovich. That kind of music was not written by either Prokofiev or Shostakovich until after 1936--not until after Stalin saw and criticized Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and then began his reign of terror over not just artists but everybody.
Yes, I have read Testimony, a book which most musicologists now question regarding its authenticity. Personally I believe that most of what is in the book is probably true, even if the information did not come directly from Shostakovich. Considering the freer artistic climate in the USSR in the 1920s, a time when Mosolov wrote futuristic works, I must wonder why Shostakovich chose to write his pro-Soviet, pro-Communist 2nd and 3rd symphonies.
*Dat phrasing*
holy shit never heard this piece. This is a-some and very kinky! LOVE VALENTINA'S phrasing and control and interpretation