Zdravitsa (Prokofiev)
Encyclopedia
Zdravitsa Op. 85, is a cantata
written by Sergei Prokofiev
in 1939.
, he was viewed as a suspect in the eyes of the Stalinist regime and was under scrutiny. Numerous Soviet artists had already been arrested or even executed for creating art that was deemed too 'formalistic' by Soviet officials. Indeed, when Prokofiev collaborated with theatre director Vsevolod Meyerhold
for his opera Semyon Kotko, the opera's premiere was postponed due to Meyerhold being arrested on 20 June 1939. Meyerhold was executed on 2 February 1940. A few months after Meyerhold's arrest, Prokofiev was invited to write Zdravitsa to celebrate Stalin's 60th birthday.
Zdravitsa, in Prokofiev's broad, lyrical vein, contains music that would certainly have fit into his ballet Romeo and Juliet
. However, the work has been deliberately and unjustly neglected for its pro-Stalinist sentiments. The quirky harmonies and rhythms in the quicker parts of the cantata makes one wonder about Prokofiev's sincerity in praising the Communist leader. Regardless of Prokofiev's true political feelings, this cantata, along with many other neglected political works (e.g. Flourish, Mighty Land
and The Meeting of the Volga and the Don), contains much first-rate Prokofiev which deserves to played more often.
Lasting around 15 minutes, the cantata is in one continuous movement. The lyrics are collected from folk-political songs.
Of special interest is the last section, where the choir races up and down a C major scale (spanning more than two octaves), rather like a child practising piano scales: the British journalist, Alexander Werth
(author of Musical Uproar in Moscow), "wondered whether [Prokofiev] hadn't just the tip of his tongue in his cheek as he made the good simple kolhozniks sing a plain C-major scale, up and down, up and down, and up and down again...". The orchestra provides alternating G and A-flat pedal notes. The cantata ends in a blazing C major, a favourite key of Prokofiev (cf. Piano Concerto No. 3
, Russian Overture, and Symphony No. 4 (revised version)
).
, conducted by Nikolai Golovanov.
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
written 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 1939.
Background
Ever since Prokofiev returned to the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, he was viewed as a suspect in the eyes of the Stalinist regime and was under scrutiny. Numerous Soviet artists had already been arrested or even executed for creating art that was deemed too 'formalistic' by Soviet officials. Indeed, when Prokofiev collaborated with theatre director Vsevolod Meyerhold
Vsevolod Meyerhold
Vsevolod Emilevich Meyerhold was a great Russian and Soviet theatre director, actor and theatrical producer. His provocative experiments dealing with physical being and symbolism in an unconventional theatre setting made him one of the seminal forces in modern international theatre.-Early...
for his opera Semyon Kotko, the opera's premiere was postponed due to Meyerhold being arrested on 20 June 1939. Meyerhold was executed on 2 February 1940. A few months after Meyerhold's arrest, Prokofiev was invited to write Zdravitsa to celebrate Stalin's 60th birthday.
Zdravitsa, in Prokofiev's broad, lyrical vein, contains music that would certainly have fit into his ballet Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev)
Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It is one of the most enduringly popular ballets...
. However, the work has been deliberately and unjustly neglected for its pro-Stalinist sentiments. The quirky harmonies and rhythms in the quicker parts of the cantata makes one wonder about Prokofiev's sincerity in praising the Communist leader. Regardless of Prokofiev's true political feelings, this cantata, along with many other neglected political works (e.g. Flourish, Mighty Land
Flourish, Mighty Land (Prokofiev)
Flourish, Mighty Land, Op. 114, is a cantata written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1947, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the October Revolution, along with his Thirty Years.-Background:In contrast to the monumental Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution, this cantata, in one...
and The Meeting of the Volga and the Don), contains much first-rate Prokofiev which deserves to played more often.
Lasting around 15 minutes, the cantata is in one continuous movement. The lyrics are collected from folk-political songs.
Analysis
The cantata opens with a sighing motif on trumpets, after which the strings play an expansive, flowing melody in C major. The choir suddenly intrudes (singing loudly There never was such joy - the entire village is full of it), and the music picks up speed. The choir slips cheekily into distant keys now and then. Faster staccato sections continue to alternate with slower flowing sections.Of special interest is the last section, where the choir races up and down a C major scale (spanning more than two octaves), rather like a child practising piano scales: the British journalist, Alexander Werth
Alexander Werth
Alexander Werth was a Russian-born, naturalized British writer, journalist, and war correspondent.-Biography:Werth's family fled to the United Kingdom in the wake of the Russian Revolution....
(author of Musical Uproar in Moscow), "wondered whether [Prokofiev] hadn't just the tip of his tongue in his cheek as he made the good simple kolhozniks sing a plain C-major scale, up and down, up and down, and up and down again...". The orchestra provides alternating G and A-flat pedal notes. The cantata ends in a blazing C major, a favourite key of Prokofiev (cf. Piano Concerto No. 3
Piano Concerto No. 3 (Prokofiev)
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26 is the best-known concerto by Sergei Prokofiev. It was completed in 1921 using sketches first started in 1913.-Composition and performances:...
, Russian Overture, and Symphony No. 4 (revised version)
Symphony No. 4 (Prokofiev)
Symphony No. 4, Op. 47/112 is actually two works by Sergei Prokofiev. The first, Op. 47, was written in 1929 and premiered in 1930. The second, Op. 112, is a large-scale revision from 1947...
).
Orchestration
- Piccolo
- 2 Flutes
- 2 Oboes
- English Horn
- 2 Clarinets
- Bass Clarinet
- 2 Bassoons
- Contrabassoon
- 4 Horns
- 3 Trumpets
- 3 Trombones
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Percussion (Woodblocks, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Triangle, Cymbals, Bass Drum, Tam-tam, Xylophone, Tubular Bells)
- Harp
- Piano
- Strings
- Chorus
Premiere
The cantata premiered on 21 December 1939 in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, conducted by Nikolai Golovanov.
Recordings
| Orchestra | Choir | Conductor | Record Company | Year of Recording | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russian State Symphony Orchestra Russian State Symphony Orchestra Russian State Symphony Orchestra is a name confusingly used by two distinct ensembles:* The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation, which was formerly the USSR State Symphony Orchestra... |
Russian State Symphony Cappella | Valeri Polyansky | Chandos Records Chandos Records Chandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, Essex, in the United Kingdom, founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.- Background :... |
2003 | CD |
| London Philharmonic Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera... |
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir / London Philharmonic Choir London Philharmonic Choir The London Philharmonic Choir is one of the leading independent British choirs in the United Kingdom based in London. The Patron is Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy and Sir Roger Norrington is President. The choir, comprising over 200 members, holds charitable status and is governed by a... |
Derek Gleeson Derek Gleeson Derek Gleeson: Irish/American dual Citizen. Music Director, Conductor, Composer, Music Producer, Timpanist, Percussionist, Pianist and Educator. Born in Dublin, February 28, 1964.... |
IMP Masters | 2000 | CD |
| New Philharmonic Orchestra | St Petersburg Philharmonic Choir | Alexander Titov | Beaux | 1998 | CD |
| USSR Radio/TV Large Symphony Orchestra | Moscow Radio Chorus | Yevgeny Svetlanov | Le Chant Du Monde | 1962 | CD |
External links
- 1962 recording of Zdravitsa, Yevgeny Svetlanov (conductor) and the USSR Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus