String Quartet No. 2 (Prokofiev)
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Sergei Prokofiev wrote his String Quartet No. 2 in F Major in 1941.
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[edit] Background
Prokofiev, along with other Soviet composers, were evacuated from the major cities when Germany launched attack on Soviet Union in 1941. Prokofiev stayed in the town of Nalchik, the provincial capital of the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous SSR, which is somewhere in the northern Caucasus (bordered by the European Russia, Turkey, and the Black and Caspian Seas). During this stay, Prokofiev examined the local folk music and wrote this string quartet.
This quartet, along with the first, has entered the repertory of many string quartets.
[edit] Movements
The string quartet, lasting for 20-25 minutes, is in three movements:
- Allegro sostenuto
- Adagio
- Allegro
[edit] Analysis
Prokofiev utilized Kabardino-Balkar folk themes in his string quartet, while at the same retaining his unique style of harmonization. The folk music character is made evident by the string quartet's imitation of oriental plucked and percussion instruments, combined with resourceful use of sonic effects. The background accompaniment in the second movement attempts to imitate the playing of a Caucasian stringed instrument, the kjamantchi.
(Myaskovsky, Prokofiev's close friend, also incorporated Kabardino-Balkar themes in one of his symphonies.)
[edit] Premiere
7th April 1942, Beethoven Quartet, Moscow or September 5th, 1942, Beethoven Quartet, Moscow, Russia
