What is your favorite Prokofiev piece?

[pies]

Piano pieces only.

[superstition2]

1st movement of 2nd piano concerto.

[stevie]

1st movement of 2nd piano concerto.

agree

[jre58591]

1st movement of 2nd piano concerto.

double agree

but for piano solo: toccata op 11

[steveie986]

Piano Sonata no. 8.

The driving bass line from the third movement was stuck in my head for months.

I initially liked the first movement of piano concerto no. 2, but it's very bombastic and I think it's artistically surpassed by some of his later work.

[apion]

His Third Piano Concerto is a masterpiece beyond quantification, qualification, or comparison; as is his Toccata.

[mikey6]

Piano Sonata no. 8.

The driving bass line from the third movement was stuck in my head for months.

You sure you don't mean the 'driving bass line from the 3rd movement' of the 7th sonata? coz the 8th don't ave one. (besides the march..sortta)

[steveie986]

You sure you don't mean the 'driving bass line from the 3rd movement' of the 7th sonata? coz the 8th don't ave one. (besides the march..sortta)

No, I meant the 8th sonata. Yes, I was referring to the march. You're right, it's not really a "bass line" - it starts out as a march but then the left hand carries it in the bass.

This march from the 3rd movement is one of the most memorable Prokofiev melodies (along with Peter and the Wolf and the March from Love for Three Oranges).

Lieutenant Kije is also very melodic and unforgettable.

[steveie986]

What level would Sonata no. 7 be?

[pies]

What level would Sonata no. 7 be?

Beginner

[invictious]

Sonata 5 and 9

Concerto 1 and 3

Suggestion Diabolique is a fav among beginners

Toccata Op.11

Etude Op.2 No.1

Prelude IN Eb Minor, presto

[nanabush]

Toccata
Suggestion Diabolique
"Driving Bass" from 3rd mvmnt 7 sonata, can't get enuf of that... learnt the first 3 measures just to say i could play that "driving bass" lol...
Uhhh, 3rd Sonatas pretty good, same with 6th... havn't heard 1,2,4,5,9

[steveie986]

I had managed to learn most of the 3rd movement of no. 7 to a perform-able level. But I found the last two pages absolutely unplayable (at least with my technique).

[superstition2]

Sonata 5 and 9

Concerto 1 and 3

Suggestion Diabolique is a fav among beginners

Toccata Op.11

Etude Op.2 No.1

Prelude IN Eb Minor, presto

Favorite generally means one. 

I also like the 6th, 7th, and 9th sonatas, the 1st concerto, the toccata, and several of the symphonies.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

3rd and 6th sonatas. 2nd is effective as well. i also love his vision fugitives!

[mike_lang]

I really enjoy his second piano sonata - particularly, the development of the 1st movement and the finale of the 4th mvt.

[steveie986]

Favorite generally means one. 

I also like the 6th, 7th, and 9th sonatas, the 1st concerto, the toccata, and several of the symphonies.

Why don't you like the 8th sonata?

[mike_lang]

Why don't you like the 8th sonata?

Or the 1st through 5th, for that matter...

[superstition2]

Why don't you like the 8th sonata?

It doesn't please me. Richter said it was the best of his sonatas, but I've tried to listen to it with that in mind and it doesn't help. It's not a bad piece, of course, but not to my taste.

I think his first and third sonatas aren't very good. The second and fourth are two I haven't listened to much and the 5th is nice, particularly the revised version, but I prefer the 9th to it.

[cjp_piano]

The sonatas are great, but I also really like the Ten Pieces, Op. 12,  especially the Scherzo; it's so crazy and fun!

[steveie986]

It doesn't please me. Richter said it was the best of his sonatas, but I've tried to listen to it with that in mind and it doesn't help. It's not a bad piece, of course, but not to my taste.

I think his first and third sonatas aren't very good. The second and fourth are two I haven't listened to much and the 5th is nice, particularly the revised version, but I prefer the 9th to it.

I didn't fall in love with no. 8 right away the way I did with 6 or 7, but over time I've grown very fond of it and feel that it's the deepest and most mature of all the sonatas. The gargantuan first movement is emotionally huge and sounds almost symphonic. The second movement is gorgeously lyrical and demonstrates that Prokofiev can be neo-romantic if he wants to be (similar to the slow movement of the 7th). The third movement is the rhythmic Prokofiev at his finest - especially the unforgettably catchy march. Well, I know I'm rhapsodizing for myself here, but I highly encourage you to listen to it again, and again, until you catch the bug.

In my opinion, the first sonata was a mistake. It's a trite piece of neo-romanticism that hardly sounds like Prokofiev. It's a very good piece, but it's generic. I have Frederic Chiu's recording of Prokofiev's complete piano works, and no. 1 sounds a lot like most of his juvenilia. There's none of the sarcasm, dissonance, and wit that are trademarks of his mature style.

[ravel]

concerto no. 2 - all of it !!!!!
then concerto no.3,5,1, sonatas 6,7,8, tocatta opus 11 and etude opus 2. (forgetting the number )... 
just nuts about his piano music !

[rohansahai]

Sonata no. 6 rules!!

[houseofblackleaves]

Pesonally, I usually don't enjoy Prokofiev's music.

I think that Prokofiev's motives for composing music makes the music itself hard to listen to and enjoy.  He was sort of forced into composing, and some of his music sounds... just empty.  I'm sorry, this is just my opinion.

Although he IS the foundation of russian composition, I much more prefer Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky's music, it's much more lyrical and more emotional.

[cjp_piano]

Pesonally, I usually don't enjoy Prokofiev's music.

I think that Prokofiev's motives for composing music makes the music itself hard to listen to and enjoy.  He was sort of forced into composing, and some of his music sounds... just empty.  I'm sorry, this is just my opinion.

Although he IS the foundation of russian composition, I much more prefer Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky's music, it's much more lyrical and more emotional.

Have you PLAYED it?

[houseofblackleaves]

Have you PLAYED it?

First 10 or so measures of 2nd movement of sonate` no.2.


And..... I've been to concerts where Prokofiev's peices were played.


Yeah, I know he composed incredible sonate`s and even Romeo and Juliet, I just don't like his music.  Just my opinion...
  Sorry.

[superstition2]

I highly encourage you to listen to it again, and again, until you catch the bug.

I've listened to it enough. It's not for me. Instead of the great depth people speak of, I find it dull. The 9th is deeper to me, actually.

[cjp_piano]

First 10 or so measures of 2nd movement of sonate` no.2.


And..... I've been to concerts where Prokofiev's peices were played.


Yeah, I know he composed incredible sonate`s and even Romeo and Juliet, I just don't like his music.  Just my opinion...
  Sorry.

You don't have to apologize for not liking it.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion.  My point was just that when you play something (an entire piece, not just 10 measures), you gain a different understanding and perspective then just listening to it. 

[kreso]

Piano Sonata no.6 (especialy when I heard Richter and Pogorelich )

[musik_man]

Piano: Toccatta
Non-Piano: Field of the Dead from Alexander Nevsky (a contender for saddest piece of music ever written)

[rob47]

the 8th sonata

[pianalex]

Beginner

hahaha

sonata 7  is great, also like 5and 3.    Cinderella transcriptions are dreamy