String Quartet No. 2 (Prokofiev)

Sergei Prokofiev wrote his String Quartet No. 2 in F Major (Op. 92) in 1941.

Background

Prokofiev, along with other Soviet artists, were evacuated from the major cities when the Nazis broke their non-aggression pact and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. On August 8, 1941, Prokofiev traveled to Nalchik with other artists, among them his friend, musician Myaskovsky, actors, such as Chechov's widow, and others. Prokofiev stayed in the town of Nalchik, the provincial capital of the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous SSR, in the northern Caucasus, about 900 miles south of Moscow (bordered by the European Russia, Turkey, and the Black and Caspian Seas). During this stay, Prokofiev was told by a government official to write a quartet using Kabardino-Balkar folk themes [Baron, John H. (1998). Google books|zTnCZJcfP6kC|Intimate Music: A History of the Idea of Chamber Music, p. 401] and wrote this string quartet, with themes based on folk tunes, rhythms and textures.

This quartet, along with the first, has entered the repertory of many string quartets.

Movements

The string quartet, lasting for 20-25 minutes, is in three movements:

#Allegro sostenuto
#Adagio
#Allegro - Andante Molto - Allegro I

Analysis

Prokofiev utilized Kabardino-Balkar folk themes in his string quartet, while at the same retaining his unique style of harmonization. The folk music character is made evident by the string quartet's imitation of oriental plucked and percussion instruments, combined with resourceful use of sonic effects. The background accompaniment in the second movement attempts to imitate the playing of a Caucasian stringed instrument, the kjamantchi.

Nikolai Myaskovsky, Prokofiev's close friend, wrote two works on Kabardino-Balkar themes, his 23rd symphony and 7th string quartet. The symphony shares a theme with the finale of Prokofiev's quartet.

Premiere

7th April 1942, Beethoven Quartet, Moscow orSeptember 5th, 1942, Beethoven Quartet, Moscow, Russia

The September 5th concert was delayed by a Nazi air raid and started late. Prokofiev thought it "an extremely turbulent success."

Recommended Recordings

*Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2; Cello Sonata / Aurora Quartet / 1994 / Naxos Records
*Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 3 and No. 7; Prokofiev: String Quartet No. 2 / The Kopelman Quartet / Nimbus Records

References