Songs of Our Days (Prokofiev)
Encyclopedia
Songs of Our Days, Op. 76 , is a rarely performed cantata
for mezzo-soprano
and baritone
soloists, chorus and orchestra composed by Sergei Prokofiev
in 1937
, during the height of Stalin
's regime. With rousing marches and text extolling (somewhat unrealistically) Russian virtues and Stalin's magnanimity, the work is composed in a much more approachable style than one would expect in Prokofiev's music during this period.
The total work contains eight songs:
The text contains many references to Stalin, and later on during the so called 'Khrushchev
thaw', all the references were removed from the text.
The work was first premiered in Europe with the original text by the Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus in London, conducted by Alexander Ivashkin
.
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
for mezzo-soprano
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
and baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
soloists, chorus and orchestra composed by Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century...
in 1937
1937 in music
-Events:*January 21 – Paul Sacher conducts the world première of Béla Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta in Basel*June 2 – The incomplete version of Alban Berg's opera Lulu is premièred in Zürich *June 8 – Première of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in Frankfurt, Germany.*November 30 –...
, during the height of Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
's regime. With rousing marches and text extolling (somewhat unrealistically) Russian virtues and Stalin's magnanimity, the work is composed in a much more approachable style than one would expect in Prokofiev's music during this period.
The total work contains eight songs:
- March - A Russian march for the full orchestra only.
- Over the Bridge, Cavalry Song - for the male chorus.
- Goodbye! - Solo baritone and chorus.
- Golden Ukraine, Folksong - Full chorus.
- Brother for Brother - Solo baritone and chorus.
- Girls - Solo baritone and chorus.
- A Twenty-year old - Solo baritone and chorus.
- Lullaby - Mezzo-soprano and Chorus.
- October Flame - Full orchestra and chorus.
The text contains many references to Stalin, and later on during the so called 'Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
thaw', all the references were removed from the text.
The work was first premiered in Europe with the original text by the Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus in London, conducted by Alexander Ivashkin
Alexander Ivashkin
Alexander Ivashkin , born in Blagoveshchensk, Russia is a cellist, writer and conductor residing in the UK.- Biography :...
.