Prokofiev Sonata no.5

[verywellmister]

Prokofiev Sonata no.5 in C Major doesn't seem like a very well known piece.  I happen to like it (though I've only heard Version 2).  Any opinions on it?  I am playing the Ravel Sonatine right now and I am considering it for a 20th century piece for a competition.  Or do you think Sonata no.3 is better?  Thanks.

[pies]

I love it. Especially those loud chords in the 3rd movement (*orgasm*). Not as 'refined' as Sonatas 6+, but still amazing. Second movement is a bit boring though.
My favorite recording (I've heard three if I remember correctly) is Chiu's.
I would choose it over No. 3 any day.

[verywellmister]

I like it too.

Do you think I'd be capable of it?  What are the difficult parts of this piece?

[kitty on the keys]

The 5th is one of my favorites. You would probably be better off learning the 3rd, it will take less time. Then learn the 5th for another program. Best of luck!

Kitty

[troglodyte]

I like it a lot. It is beautiful and not terribly difficult. The main technical difficulties imo are

Mov 1: the 4 vs 5 polyrhythms, and also the end of the development played with crossed hands  (depending on your basic technique and agility this may be hard or not, I sure had to think about these alot)

Mov 2: Towards the end of the first page (my edition has no measure numbers) there are passages absolutely impossible to play as written, as the right hand must sustain notes several octaves apart while the left hand play staccato. So you have to experiment a lot with how much pedal to use. Btw I don't think it is boring, it is funny to hear the melody fighting against distractions.

Mov 3: The section before the coda with the large chords (I couldn't reach all notes in some of them). Also the coda I guess if you want to take it really fast.

For me it was extremely rewarding. Though this isn't the audition room I'd really appreciate comments on my recording:

https://user.it.uu.se/~joachim/prok51.MP3

https://user.it.uu.se/~joachim/prok52.MP3

https://user.it.uu.se/~joachim/prok53.MP3

[jakev2.0]

I like it. Good job. 

[pies]

Yes, great job. If I were you, I'd play the loud crashy dissonant chords near the end of the 3rd movement a bit quicker so it flows with the rest of the movement.

[verywellmister]

bravo!

[troglodyte]

Thanks for the compliments!

About the large chords in mov 3: The score says "meno mosso" at this point, though not how much "meno".  Also there is some sense in setting this outburst apart from the rest - it is like a mask fallen from a nice person revealing a monster, even though it carries the main theme of the movement. Finally, it is tricky to hit all notes precisely right and balance the chords at higher speeds. But I see the point of the danger of that section becoming too disconnected.

I haven't heard this sonata performed, live or recorded, and haven't studied it with a teacher, so all tempi are purely my guesswork.