Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, and one of the major figures of twentieth-century music. His work ranges from ballets, operas and concertos to sonatas and music written for young players.
His piano writing can turn from childlike simplicity to sheer motor energy. The Toccata, Op. 11, is a study in relentless drive, while the 1935 suite For Children, Op. 65, offers short character pieces of real musical substance. Both strands appear in Australian recital recordings, among them For Children (TP001) and programmes that set the Toccata beside the wider piano repertoire on With Tenderness, With Fire (MD 3157) and Veiled Virtuosity (MD 3331).
The late Sonata in C major for cello and piano, Op. 119, balances songful lines with clear classical form. It anchors duo programmes devoted to the modern cello sonata, including Prokofiev & Carter: Cello Sonatas (TP032) and Russian Cello (MD 3390).
Compositions by Sergei Prokofiev appear on
Russian Cello
Enter the world of Russia. Zoe Knighton and Amir Farid present unknown works alongside much-loved classics. The recording celebrates a romanticism in composition inspired by the combination of cello and piano.
Veiled Virtuosity
Amir Farid’s debut solo recording, made after his win at the 2006 Australian National Piano Award, ranges from Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata and works by Brahms, Liszt and Prokofiev to Australian scores by Stuart Greenbaum and Carl Vine, with two pieces by Iranian composer Javad Maroufi.
With Tenderness, With Fire
Ronald Farren-Price encores his hugely popular Reflections with this solo recital, ranging from the sublime beauty of a Beethoven Adagio to the thundering splendour of Prokofiev’s Toccata.