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Sergei Prokofiev

String Quartet No. 1 (Prokofiev)

Sergei Prokofiev's String Quartet No. 1 in B minor, Op. 50 (1931) was commissioned by the Library of Congress. The Quartet was first performed in Washington, D.C., on 25 April 1931 by the Brosa

Movements#

The string quartet has three movements:

Analysis#

The work is distinctive in that its key, B minor, is just a semitone below the limits of the viola and cello range. Another distinctive feature is that the finale is a slow movement, which is highly intense in emotion and full of sweeping melodies. Prokofiev had liked the finale so much that he transcribed a version of it for string orchestra, as Op. 50a, and included a piano transcription in his pieces as Op. 52.

See also#

  • Prokofiev - String Quartet No. 2 in F major
  • Prokofiev - Chamber Music
  • Prokofiev - List of Compositions
  • Video - Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 - Complete (23:14).
  • Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 in B minor, Opus 50 (1931).
  • Video - Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 mvt 1/audio (07:20) Allegro.
  • Video - Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 mvt 2/audio (07:10) Andante molto.
  • Video - Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 mvt 3/audio (08:40) Andante.
Composer
Sergei Prokofiev