Prokofiev Orchestration

[BoliverAllmon]

I just read that Prokofiev preferred other people to do his orchestration. He would look for orchestrators that would orchestrate in his style and just let them do the work. He would look over the final cut though. I read this in Three Oranges Journal. I read in Shostakovich's Memoirs that Shostakovich somewhat despised and looked-down upon this fact. Something to think about.

boliver

[BoliverAllmon]

I just read that Prokofiev preferred other people to do his orchestration. He would look for orchestrators that would orchestrate in his style and just let them do the work. He would look over the final cut though. I read this in Three Oranges Journal. I read in Shostakovich's Memoirs that Shostakovich somewhat despised and looked-down upon this fact. Something to think about.

boliver

I guess no one cares or no one was surprised?

[Daevren]

I don't know both Prokofiev and Shostakovich very well but it seems to me Shos just was the better composer.
There was once a 'Prokofiev vs Shostakovich' thread here and to my suprise most people voted for Prokofiev.

Another thing is that writing for orchestra is extremely difficult. And Shos was really good at this. He wrote 16 symphonies. He wrote concerto's for several instruments. I know either his first or second violin concerto is considered as one of the best violin concerto's ever written.

But still, I find it unlikely that Prokofiev always hired someone else to do his orchestra compositions. Actually, I personally also find it strange he did this. He could do this stuff himself. Why didn't he?

[Ziggy]

I don't know both Prokofiev and Shostakovich very well but it seems to me Shos just was the better composer.

Thats crazy talk right there!!!! Blasphemy!!!! Get the pitchforks!!!!

[The Six]

I was surprised more people like Prokofiev, but he wrote more extensively for the piano so it makes sense people here would vote for him. Many people would consider Shostakovich the better all-around composer.

[apion]

I am an avid Prokofiev fan, and I find it impossibly difficult to believe that he did not do his own orchestration.

Please provide citations for these heretical statements that he hired-out orchestrators. 

[BoliverAllmon]

I am an avid Prokofiev fan, and I find it impossibly difficult to believe that he did not do his own orchestration.

Please provide citations for these heretical statements that he hired-out orchestrators. 

the article was featured in the Three Oranges Journal. Apparently a new diary of his has just been published in there they give accounts of him hiring orchestrators. I am guessing he hired someone to do this because he was lazy or despised the work. I would think he could do the work himself just fine.

boliver

[Fugue]

16 symphonies!? Shostakovich wrote only 15, unless I am greatly mistaken.

[BoliverAllmon]

16 symphonies!? Shostakovich wrote only 15, unless I am greatly mistaken.

yep just 15. I listened to the 15th just recently. I believe he had started his 16th when he passed. (alot like beethoven's 10th) great melodies in it. he uses William Tell overture in the first movement and some Wagner stuff in the latter mvts. Great piece.