Symphony No. 7 (Prokofiev)
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| Symphony No. 7 | |
|---|---|
| by Sergei Prokofiev | |
| Key | C♯ minor |
| Opus | 131 |
| Composed | 1952 |
| Duration | 31–35 min |
| Movements | Four |
| Premiere | |
| Date | October 11, 1952 |
| Location | Trade Union Hall of Columns, Moscow |
| Conductor | Samuil Samosud |
| Performers | All-Union Radio Orchestra |
Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 7 in C♯ minor, Op. 131, was completed in 1952, the year before his death. It is his last symphony.
Most of the symphony is emotionally restrained, nostalgic and melancholy in mood, including the ending of the Vivace final movement. However, Prokofiev was later convinced to add an energetic and optimistic coda, so as to win the Stalin Prize of 5,000 rubles.[citation needed] Before he died, Prokofiev indicated that the original quiet ending was to be preferred.[1]
The premiere was well-received, and in 1957, four years after Prokofiev's death, the symphony was awarded the Lenin Prize.
Movements
The symphony is in four movements, lasting 30–35 minutes:
The first movement, in sonata form, opens with a melancholic first theme on violins, which contrasts with the warm and lyrical second theme on winds. After a brief development section, the recapitulation of the two themes follows, and the movement ends in a reflective mood with the clock-ticking sounds on glockenspiel and xylophone.
The second movement is an autumnal waltz, reminiscent of Prokofiev's ballet Cinderella, while the third movement is an expressive and singing slow movement.
The finale, in D♭ major (C♯ major enharmonic), contains an innocent cheerfulness. There is a slowing of pace and the return of the warm wind theme from the first movement, and the symphony ends with the same tinkling sounds from the tuned percussion as the first movement.
Instrumentation
The work scores for the following:
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