Back in the USSR

Release Date: 23rd Oct 2015
Catalogue No: CGC006-2
Label: CuGate Classics
Length: 65 minutes

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Prokofiev: A Spectre is Stalking Europe Cantata on the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution, Op. 74

Work length44:11

New Philharmonia Orchestra
Aleksander Titov

Track length2:27

II. Philosophers

Track length2:46

III. Interlude

Track length1:35

IV. „We are marching in close ranks“

Track length2:06

V. Interlude

Track length1:15

VI. Revolution

Track length9:43

VII. Victory

Track length6:11

VIII. A Pledge

Track length6:49

IX. Symphony

Track length5:59

X. Constitution

Track length5:20

Prokofiev: Prosper, Our Mighty Country, Op. 114 Cantata on the 30th Anniversary of the October Revolution

Work length12:56

New Philharmonia Orchestra
Aleksander Titov

A Toast! Op. 85 (In Honor of Stalin’s 60th Birthday)

Track length12:56

Prokofiev: A Toast! Op. 85 (In Honor of Stalin’s 60th Birthday)

Work length8:00

New Philharmonia Orchestra
Aleksander Titov

Prosper, Our Mighty Country, Op. 114 Cantata on the 30th Anniversary of the October Revolution

Track length8:00

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The three works on this album belong to a large group of masterpieces, which dispels the myth that Prokofiev – ‘shaker of foundations’ and ‘daring innovator’ – became, after his return to the USSR, an ‘acquiescent traditionalist’.

As a result of the Soviet government’s permit to tour abroad, he lived for more than 18 years outside the country. On his return to his homeland, he entered actively into the building of socialist musical culture. However, he also recognized soon the reverse of the medal: the socialist realism with its official preference for simple ‘folk’ melodies, composed in a mood of profound optimism and easily understood by the masses led to conflicts with progressive composers. They all were exposed to persecution in the press, deprived of work and doomed to poverty.

Thus Prokofiev was forced to play by the rules of the game. Nevertheless, in his work there remained too much that conflicted with the ideals of the ‘construction of communism’. If one compares the music with the lyrics, it is easily recognizable that Prokofiev treated the ‘sacred’ revolution musically with his own accurate and almost indiscernible irony.

Back in the USSR

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