Rare archive video: Sergei Prokofiev plays and talks about his music

Misha Keylin says:

Hi Norman,

It would have to be around 1941-1945 as he is mentioning pieces that were composed around that period (for example, the Lermontov centennial anniversary was in 1941).

The translation is:

“Prokofiev is being asked: “Sergei Sergeevich, maybe you will tell our viewers about your work?”

He replies: “Well, right now I am working on a symphonic suite of waltzes, which will include three waltzes from Cinderella, two waltzes from the War and Peace, and one waltz from the movie score “Lermontov.” [The War and Peace] has just been brilliantly produced in Leningrad, where the composer Cheshko (?) made an especially noteworthy appearance as a tenor, giving a superb performance in the role of Pierre Bezukhoff. Besides this suite, I am working on a sonata for violin and piano [no.1 in f minor], upon completion of which I will resume work on the sixth symphony, which I had started last year. I have just completed three suites from the Cinderella ballet and I am now turning the score over to copyists for writing the parts, so that most likely the suites will already be performed at the beginning of the fall season.”

Hope this helps!

Misha Keylin

@mishakeylin

m2n2k says:

The interviewer asks: “Sergei Sergeevich, maybe you can tell our viewers about your work?”

The composer replies: “Right now I am working on a symphonic suite of waltzes which will include three waltzes from Cinderella, two waltzes from War and Piece, and one waltz from the movie Lermontov. The opera [W&P, obviously] was just recently produced (and staged) brilliantly in Leningrad; composer Chishko was particularly successful in it, appearing there as a tenor in the role of Pierre Bezuhov which he performed extremely well. Besides this suite, I am writing a sonata for violin and piano, and after completing it I will work on the Sixth Symphony which I started last year. Just now I have finished three suites from the ballet Cinderella and I am presently giving the score for preparation of orchestral parts, so I think these pieces will probably be heard at the beginning of the Fall season.”

The date, most likely, is June 1946.

Alexander says:

Question: “Sergey Sergeevich, perhaps you will tell our audience about your work?”

Prokofiev: “All right, I am working now at a suite *, a symphonic waltzes suite which will include three waltzes from “Cinderella”, two waltzes from “War and Peace” and one waltz from the movie “Lermontov”** [perhaps, here there is be a break in the interview recording] which has now been staged with big success in Leningrad with composer Tchishko** being especially remarkable. He performed as a tenor and wonderfully played Pierre Bezukhov. Besides this suite I am composing a sonata for violin and piano and after I finish it I will work at Symphony No. 6 that I began last year****. I have just finished three suites from the ballet “Cinderella” and am handing it for the instrumentation so presumably they will sound at the beginning of the autumn season.”

* Symphonic waltzes suite op.110, 1946

** 1943

*** Oles Tchishko, 1895-1976, composer and singer

****it was started in 1945

Esfir Ross says:

Must be summer of 1946 at his dacha. “War and Peace” part 1 was premiered in Leningrad 1946. The 2nd violin {flute} and piano sonata was written 1944. Maybe he talked about what become solo violin sonata {1947}. Esfir Ross