Symphony No. 7 (Prokofiev)

Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp minor, Op.131, was completed in 1952, the year before his death. It is his last symphony.

Background

This symphony represents a turning away from the more dissonant aspects of Prokofiev's music, toward a simpler style and reduced orchestral size, and was premiered as part of a radio program for children. Because of this it has been called the "Children's symphony". Shostakovich expressed admiration for the work, and it may have influenced his 15th 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 100,000 rubles (because of official disapproval, Prokofiev was living in poverty at this time). Before he died, Prokofiev indicated that the original quiet ending was to be preferred ["The symphony was originally to have wound down on this desolate theme, but Prokofiev was convinced - by Samosud, according to Rostropovich - to write a much more upbeat end in order to win a first rather than a third class Stalin Prize. Prokofiev told Rostropovich he did so in order to gain the much needed 100,000 rubles: 'But Slava, you will live much longer than I, and you must take care that this new ending never exists after me.' " Sergey Prokofiev / Daniel Jaffé. London ; New York : Phaidon Press, 2008. Pp. 211.] .

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:

#Moderato
#Allegretto
#Andante espressivo
#Vivace

The first movement, in sonata form, opens with a melancholic first theme on violins, which contrasts with the warm and lyrical second theme on cellos. 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 C-sharp major, contains an innocent cheerfulness. There is a slowing of pace and the return of the warm cello 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:

Woodwinds
*Piccolo
*2 Flutes
*2 Oboes
*Cor Anglais
*2 Clarinets
*Bass Clarinet
*2 Bassoons

Brass
*4 French Horns
*3 Trumpets
*3 Trombones
*Tuba

Percussion
*Timpani
*Bass Drum
*Snare Drum
*Cymbals
*Tambourine
*Triangle
*Wood blocks
*Xylophone
*Glockenspiel

Keyboard
*Piano

Strings
*Violins (1st and 2nd)
*Violas
*Cellos
*Double Basses
*Harp

Recordings

The first recording was made by Eugene Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra for the CBS label in April 1953. Recordings using the original slow ending are marked by an asterisk.

Notes

Bibliography

*Sergey Prokofiev / Daniel Jaffé. London ; New York : Phaidon Press, 2008, c1998.