close
Home > Prokofiev, Sergei Sergeevich > Sonata for piano No.7 B-Dur

Prokofiev, Sergei Sergeevich : Sonata for piano No.7 B-Dur Op.83

Work Overview

Music ID : 235
Composition Year：1939　
Publication Year：1943
First Publisher：Muzgiz
Instrumentation：Piano Solo　
Genre：sonata
Total Playing Time：17 min 30 sec
Copyright：Public Domain
sonata

Commentary (2)

Author : PTNA Piano Encyclopedia Editorial Department

Last Updated: January 1, 2010
[Open]
Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

This piano sonata was composed by Prokofiev during what can be considered the mature period of his creative activity, after his return to the Soviet Union from living in the United States and Paris. It masterfully combines a powerful, dynamic quality that leaves a strong impression with beautiful lyricism, while simultaneously demanding a high level of technical skill from the performer. It can be described as a remarkable masterpiece in the history of piano sonatas, a work that introduced new possibilities.

Prokofiev composed nine piano sonatas throughout his life, excluding unfinished works, with Sonatas No. 6 to No. 8, written during World War II, being known as the "War Sonatas". All three of these works are highly accomplished, and this Seventh Sonata, in particular, generated significant resonance upon its release. While it is naturally assumed that the severe social conditions of the war and the Soviet regime are reflected in the work, Prokofiev's musical charm, such as its flawless structural beauty and wild vitality, is fully unleashed, giving the work an overwhelming presence in itself.

First Movement: Allegro Inquieto (Fast, Uneasy)

This movement is in a meticulously crafted sonata form, featuring a contrasting appearance of rhythmic and melodic themes.

Second Movement: Andante Caloroso (Moderately Fast, Passionate)

It possesses a lyrical and profound sound, yet also incorporates subtle tempo fluctuations and rhythmic nuances.

Third Movement: Precipitato (Vehemently)

This movement is in an unusual 7/4 time signature for a piano piece, written with a rhythmic combination of 2-3-2 in eighth-note units. It possesses energetic momentum, rushing towards a climax.

Writer: PTNA Piano Encyclopedia Editorial Department

Author : Yamamoto, Akihisa

Last Updated: June 25, 2019
[Open]
Translation in Progress
Writer: Yamamoto, Akihisa

Movements (3)

Mov.1 Allegro inquieto

Total Performance Time: 8 min 30 sec 

Videos 5

Explanation 1

Sheet Music 0

Arrangement 0

Mov.2 Andante caloroso

Total Performance Time: 6 min 00 sec 

Videos 4

Explanation 1

Sheet Music 0

Arrangement 0

Mov.3 Precipitato

Total Performance Time: 3 min 00 sec 

Videos 4

Explanation 1

Sheet Music 1

Arrangement 0

Reference Videos & Audition Selections(1items)

鈴木　こはるマケナ（入選）
View on IMSLP
Japanese