Prokofiev 7

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Image courtesy L'Auditori

Of all Sergei Prokofiev’s seven symphonies, the last one stands out for its look back at the past, returning to his first Soviet stage. Taking advantage of his long symphonic experience, Prokofiev simplified the score of his final symphony, overlaying it with the inspired melodies that were typical of the composer. It is a work that earned him national recognition after problematic years when Socialist realism prevailed. The symphony was premiered in Moscow just a few months before his death: the final work of one of Russia’s leading 20th century symphony composers.

Felip Pedrell’s influence transcends his work as a musicologist and teacher, with pupils who include some of the foremost names in Spanish and Catalan music. This is illustrated by the period most closely devoted to music for voice and piano, stage and orchestra, inspired by trips to France and Italy and leading to symphonic poems like And triumph (Triumphs). This work, of an almost unprecedented kind in Spain, was fuelled by a creative urge, despite his awareness that he would not live to hear it performed. The first of the three trionfi is the Trionfo d’amore (Triumph of Love), divided into three parts: “Le ombre e gli spiriti” (The Shadows and Spirits), “Madrigale” (Madrigal) and “Estasi d’amore” (Ecstasy of Love).

Program

• Albert Guinovart: New work (2023) 15′—Commissioned work, world premiere
• Felipe Pedrell: Trionfo d’amore, symphonic poem (1880) 28′
• Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 (1951-1952) 31′

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