Cello Sonata (Prokofiev)
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| Cello Sonata | |
|---|---|
| by Sergei Prokofiev | |
| Key | C major |
| Opus | 119 |
| Composed | 1949 |
| Performed | 1 March 1950: Moscow Conservatory |
| Published | 1951 |
| Movements | 3 |
The Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119, was composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1949. The year before, Prokofiev was accused of formalism by the Zhdanov Decree and much of his music was banned. However, he continued to compose music, though he was not sure if his new works would ever be performed in public.
In 1949, Prokofiev attended a concert in which Mstislav Rostropovich performed Nikolai Miaskovsky's Cello Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 81.[1] Prokofiev was so impressed by Rostropovich's performance that he was determined to write a cello sonata for him. At the same time, Prokofiev wrote the symphonic suite Winter Bonfire, Op. 122, the ballet The Tale of the Stone Flower, Op. 118, and the Pushkin Waltzes, Op. 120. The Cello Sonata was published in Moscow in 1951.
The sonata is structured in three movements:
- Andante grave (C major)
- Moderato (F major)
- Allegro, ma non troppo (C major)
A typical performance lasts for about 25 minutes.
