Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

2013

Debut In Paris

20130115

20130107 (R3)

Throughout the week Donald Macleod explores Prokofiev's life and music during his time as an emigre in Europe in the 1920s, and considering his return to Russia. Today, he looks at Prokofiev's debut in Paris, and the importance of his links with Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes as he was trying to establish himself.

Donald Macleod discusses Prokofiev's debut in Paris and his relationship with Diaghilev.

2013

Ettal

20130115

20130108 (R3)

Donald Macleod looks at an unstable period in Prokofiev's life in the early 1920s. After basing himself near the monastery in Ettal, Germany, to work on his new opera, 'The Fiery Angel', he then got married and moved to Paris, where he would change address every year for the next decade. He also fell out with Stravinsky, in whose shadow he always worked in his time as an emigre in Europe.

Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's time in Ettal, Germany in the early 1920s.

2013

Parisian Life

20130116

20130109 (R3)

Donald Macleod considers how Prokofiev's works were received in Paris.

2013

The Visit

20130117

20130110 (R3)

Donald Macleod focuses on Prokofiev's triumphant homecoming visit to Russia in 1927.

2013

05 LAST

Return

20130118

20130111 (R3)

Donald Macleod considers the reasons behind Prokofiev's decision to return to Russia.

2019

To Go To America

20191007

Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he prepares to abandon his homeland and escape to America.

After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

As war and revolution ravage Russia and dramatically change the composer's world, the opportunity of America is too much to resist.

Violin Concerto No 1 in D, Op 19 (3rd mvt)

Vilde Frang, violin

WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne

Thomas Sønderg倀rd, conductor

Seven, They Are Seven, Op 30

Iouri Elnikov, Tenor

USSR State Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra

Gennady Rojdestvenski, conductor

Sonata for piano No 2, Op 14 (3rd & 4th Mvts)

Pascal Devoyon, piano

Visions Fugitives, Op 22 (selection)

Steven Osborne, piano

Symphony No 1 in D major, Op 25 (Classical)

Berliner Philharmoniker

Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he prepares to abandon Russia.

2019

A Good Feeling

20191008

Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's first turbulent days in America - where he has to face down immigration officials and the American critics.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

The composer's first encounters with the American cities he'd dreamed of would prove to be the first in a series of disappointments.

Tales of an Old Grandmother, Op 31

Matti Raekallio, piano

Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op 34

Berlin Soloists

Prelude from 10 pieces for piano, Op 12

Cyprien Katsaris, piano

Concerto No 1 for piano and orchestra in D flat major, Op 10 (excerpts)

Vladimir Krainev, piano

The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Dmitri Kitayenko, conductor

Scythian Suite, Op 20

New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Leonard Bernstein, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's first turbulent days in America.

2019

Do Not Stay Too Long

20191009

Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he tries to establish himself in America - with mixed results.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

After his first American commission, fate intervenes to put the composer in a very difficult position.

The Love for Three Oranges Symphonic Suite, Op 33bis (Marche)

London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Four Pieces, Op 32 (selection)

Boris Berman, piano

Piano Concerto No 3 in C major, Op 26 (mvts 1 & 2)

Freddy Kempf, piano

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Andrew Litton, conductor

Five melodies for violin and piano, Op 35bis (selection)

Aylen Pritchen, violin

Yury Favorin, piano

The Fiery Angel, Op 37 (Act IV Scene 1)

Sergei Leiferkus, baritone (Ruprecht)

Galina Gorchakova, soprano (Renata)

Kirov Theatre Chorus and Orchestra

Valery Gergiev, conductor

Sonata No 3 in A minor, Op 28

Martha Argerich, piano

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he tries to establish himself in America.

2019

All My Uncertainties

20191010

Donald Macleod examines the most hectic year of Prokofiev's life where he faced uncertainties about his family and his financial future.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

Further delays in his American commission and being reunited with old friends in Europe leads to a difficult decision for the composer.

The Gambler: Four Portraits from the Opera, Op 49 (Portrait No 1; Alexis)

Scottish National Orchestra

Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor

Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor, Op 16 (mvts 1 & 2)

Freddy Kempf, piano

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Andrew Litton, conductor

Quintet in G minor, Op 39 (Selection)

Berlin Soloists

The Prodigal Son, Op 46 (Scene 2, excerpt)

Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra

Marin Alsop, conductor

Chout Suite, Op 21 (excerpts)

London Symphony Orchestra

Claudio Abbado, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod examines the most hectic year of Prokofiev's life.

2019

05 LAST

Too Soon

20191011

Donald Macleod looks at how America influenced Prokofiev - and if the composer's American dream ever died.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

In his later years, Prokofiev committed himself to a life in Russia but despite finally having a place to call home, he could never quite escape the pull of America.

American Overture, Op 42

St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra

Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor

Peter and the Wolf (excerpt)

Sir John Gielgud, narrator

Academy of London

Richard Stamp, conductor

Five Poems, Op 36 (selection)

Claudia Barainsky, soprano

Axel Bauni, piano

The Love of Three Oranges Symphonic Suite, Op 33bis

London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Romeo and Juliet, Op 64 (excerpts)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Yuri Simonov, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod looks at how America influenced Prokofiev.

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
2013	01	Debut In Paris	20130115	20130107 (R3)	Throughout the week Donald Macleod explores Prokofiev's life and music during his time as an emigre in Europe in the 1920s, and considering his return to Russia. Today, he looks at Prokofiev's debut in Paris, and the importance of his links with Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes as he was trying to establish himself. Donald Macleod discusses Prokofiev's debut in Paris and his relationship with Diaghilev.
2013	02	Ettal	20130115	20130108 (R3)	Donald Macleod looks at an unstable period in Prokofiev's life in the early 1920s. After basing himself near the monastery in Ettal, Germany, to work on his new opera, 'The Fiery Angel', he then got married and moved to Paris, where he would change address every year for the next decade. He also fell out with Stravinsky, in whose shadow he always worked in his time as an emigre in Europe. Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's time in Ettal, Germany in the early 1920s.
2013	03	Parisian Life	20130116	20130109 (R3)	Donald Macleod considers how Prokofiev's works were received in Paris.
2013	04	The Visit	20130117	20130110 (R3)	Donald Macleod focuses on Prokofiev's triumphant homecoming visit to Russia in 1927.
2013	05 LAST	Return	20130118	20130111 (R3)	Donald Macleod considers the reasons behind Prokofiev's decision to return to Russia.
2019	01	To Go To America	20191007		Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he prepares to abandon his homeland and escape to America. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally. His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions. As war and revolution ravage Russia and dramatically change the composer's world, the opportunity of America is too much to resist. Violin Concerto No 1 in D, Op 19 (3rd mvt) Vilde Frang, violin WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne Thomas Sønderg倀rd, conductor Seven, They Are Seven, Op 30 Iouri Elnikov, Tenor USSR State Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra Gennady Rojdestvenski, conductor Sonata for piano No 2, Op 14 (3rd & 4th Mvts) Pascal Devoyon, piano Visions Fugitives, Op 22 (selection) Steven Osborne, piano Symphony No 1 in D major, Op 25 (Classical) Berliner Philharmoniker Herbert von Karajan, conductor Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he prepares to abandon Russia.
2019	02	A Good Feeling	20191008		Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's first turbulent days in America - where he has to face down immigration officials and the American critics. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally. His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions. The composer's first encounters with the American cities he'd dreamed of would prove to be the first in a series of disappointments. Tales of an Old Grandmother, Op 31 Matti Raekallio, piano Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op 34 Berlin Soloists Prelude from 10 pieces for piano, Op 12 Cyprien Katsaris, piano Concerto No 1 for piano and orchestra in D flat major, Op 10 (excerpts) Vladimir Krainev, piano The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Dmitri Kitayenko, conductor Scythian Suite, Op 20 New York Philharmonic Orchestra Leonard Bernstein, conductor Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Donald Macleod looks at Prokofiev's first turbulent days in America.
2019	03	Do Not Stay Too Long	20191009		Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he tries to establish himself in America - with mixed results. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally. His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions. After his first American commission, fate intervenes to put the composer in a very difficult position. The Love for Three Oranges Symphonic Suite, Op 33bis (Marche) London Symphony Orchestra Sir Neville Marriner, conductor Four Pieces, Op 32 (selection) Boris Berman, piano Piano Concerto No 3 in C major, Op 26 (mvts 1 & 2) Freddy Kempf, piano Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Litton, conductor Five melodies for violin and piano, Op 35bis (selection) Aylen Pritchen, violin Yury Favorin, piano The Fiery Angel, Op 37 (Act IV Scene 1) Sergei Leiferkus, baritone (Ruprecht) Galina Gorchakova, soprano (Renata) Kirov Theatre Chorus and Orchestra Valery Gergiev, conductor Sonata No 3 in A minor, Op 28 Martha Argerich, piano Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he tries to establish himself in America.
2019	04	All My Uncertainties	20191010		Donald Macleod examines the most hectic year of Prokofiev's life where he faced uncertainties about his family and his financial future. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally. His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions. Further delays in his American commission and being reunited with old friends in Europe leads to a difficult decision for the composer. The Gambler: Four Portraits from the Opera, Op 49 (Portrait No 1; Alexis) Scottish National Orchestra Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor, Op 16 (mvts 1 & 2) Freddy Kempf, piano Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Litton, conductor Quintet in G minor, Op 39 (Selection) Berlin Soloists The Prodigal Son, Op 46 (Scene 2, excerpt) Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra Marin Alsop, conductor Chout Suite, Op 21 (excerpts) London Symphony Orchestra Claudio Abbado, conductor Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Donald Macleod examines the most hectic year of Prokofiev's life.
2019	05 LAST	Too Soon	20191011		Donald Macleod looks at how America influenced Prokofiev - and if the composer's American dream ever died. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally. His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions. In his later years, Prokofiev committed himself to a life in Russia but despite finally having a place to call home, he could never quite escape the pull of America. American Overture, Op 42 St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor Peter and the Wolf (excerpt) Sir John Gielgud, narrator Academy of London Richard Stamp, conductor Five Poems, Op 36 (selection) Claudia Barainsky, soprano Axel Bauni, piano The Love of Three Oranges Symphonic Suite, Op 33bis London Symphony Orchestra Sir Neville Marriner, conductor Romeo and Juliet, Op 64 (excerpts) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Yuri Simonov, conductor Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Donald Macleod looks at how America influenced Prokofiev.