Prokofiev—a Biography: From Russia to the West, 1891-1935 - Book Review

through David Nice. Yale University Pres (PO case 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040) 2003 390 pp $35

In Prokofiev--A Biography: From Russia to the West, the British scholar David Nice tenders a new biography of the brilliant pianist-composer based upon Prokofiev's autobiographies, diaries and correspondence, including sources from Russian archives that solitary recently have become available for research. This whirl focuses on Prokofiev's career from his early years as a pupil at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the period from 1918 to 1935 During this period he left Russia to perform and form in Europe and America, returning to the Soviet Union actual few times. The author intends to overspread the remainder of Prokofiev's career in a later volume titled The Soviet Years. completely through the book Nice disputes various misconceptions depicted in an earlier biography written through Nestyev, a Soviet musicologist who considered Western influences upon Prokofiev decadent. The timely release of this publication coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of Prokofiev's death.

The not away volume is particularly valuable for its in-depth coverage providing insight into Prokofiev's innovations as a composer shaping novel concepts of music strongly bottomed in the Russian tradition, while absorbing the dynamic changes in the fresh world. Nice offers vivid descriptions of Prokofiev's important works from all genre These descriptions, although serve a limited purpose. They inspire the reader to explore unfamiliar repertoire, on the other hand they aren't a substitute for hearing the music itself. single disappointing feature of the near biography is the author's predisposition especially toward the beginning of the volume to describe an event in the composer's life, then gaze forward to later compositions suggesting connections between the occurrence and the music. The connections sometimes strike one as being contrived.

The author wisely avoids analyses that probe Prokofiev's compounded personality. Rather, the author gives the reader the opportunity to form an impression of this creative personality based upon his interactions with colleagues like as Diaghilev, Koussevitsky and Stravinsky and [i]or[/i] part of to the other his correspondence with colleagues and family members. Especially noteworthy are the quotations of the correspondence between Prokofiev and Nikolay Myaskofsky, a companion composer and trusted friend. Having established a friendship as conservatory pupils Myaskofsky remained in Russia and experienced the impact the Soviet regime increasingly exercised upon artists, while Prokofiev explored fresh horizons in the West. Their long-running dialogue presents candid insight to their musical aesthetics and the mutual think highly of shared by colleagues.

Especially valuable is the overview that Nice provides of the unravellings in the other arts, including literature and the dramatic arts. It would have been helpful if the author had included more background information upon the political events shaping international diplomacy during this volatile period. Rather, the author withholds information regarding politics until near the extreme point of the book when Prokofiev begins to contemplate the advantages and risks of a go [i]or[/i] come back to his homeland.

The biography is scholarly notwithstanding accessible to readers with a more casual interest in Prokofiev. The author avoids technical analyses of musical compositions. to be paid to its comprehensiveness, the volume is ideal for performers and teachers seeking a broader perspective upon Prokofiev's works. Reviewed by Kenneth Williams, Columbus, Ohio.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Music Teachers National Association, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group