2. Serge ProkoviefSerge Prokovief  Russian Composer, pianist, and conductor  One of the major composers of the 20 th century  Born in Sontsovka, a rural estate of the Russian Empire  After the Russian Revolution, Prokovief left Russia and lived in the U.S., Germany, then Paris.  Returned back Soviet Union in 1936, became apart of Union of Soviet Composers (isolation of Soviet Composers)

3. Symphony ClassiqueSymphony Classique  Prokovief’s Symphony Classique is a piece filled with ambiguous irony and admiration of the 18 th century’s classical music  Composed in 1916  Four movement form: Allegro, Larghetto, Gavotte:Non Troppo Allegro, Finale: Molto Vivace  Two fast outer movement which bracket the two slow movements.

4. Continued…  Gavotto movement inspired by a stylized dance  The piece has a lighthearted and humorous character  Sharply dissonant and maintains a steadfastly tonal base  The Classical tone is shone through the harmonic language  Sudden shifts between tonal centers

5. Continued…  First movement, Allegro, is in Sonata form  The Gavotte sounds very Mozartean  The piece ends with an exuberant finale  Constant shifts of tone implements suspense and excitement

6. Xian XinghaiXian Xinghai  One of the earliest generation of Chinese Composers  Influenced by western classical music  Has influenced generations of Chinese musicians  Wrote vocal works that encouraged people to fight Japanese invaders  Composed over 300 works: Composed in major musical forms: two symphonies, a violin concierto, choral works  Won the title “People’s Composer”

7. Yellow River Piano Concerto Yellow River Piano Concerto  The piece Xian Xinghai is best known for  Piano and Orchestra  Composed in 1939, Premiere in 1969 during Cultural Revolution  8 movement piece originally, rearranged to 4 movements: Prelude, Ode, The Yellow River In Anger, Defend the Yellow River  Used traditional folk melodies

8. Continued…  Yellow River Piano Concerto was banished from the Chinese concert stage at the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976  Remained popular outside of China  Late 1980’s filtered back into Chinese mainstream and performed by Chinese and Western artists

9. The MovementsThe Movements  Prelude: The Song of the Yellow River Boatman: Momentum of Waves- Rapid chromatic crescendo and use of cymbals  Ode to the Yellow River: Praise of the Yellow River- Deep and rich timbre of the cello  The Wrath of the Yellow River: Brings out melody  Defend the Yellow River: Finale, polyphonic canon, thematic writing(popular in traditional Chinese), first phase played by trumpet

10. Form ComparisonForm Comparison Symphony Classique  Four Movements: Allegro, Larghetto, Gavotte:Non Troppo Allegro, Finale: Molto Vivace Allegro Yellow River Piano Concerto  Originally 8 movements but got rearranged into 4: Prelude, Ode, Wrath of the Yellow River, Defend the Yellow River

11. First MovementFirst Movement Symphony Classique  Allegro: Sonata Form  D Major to C Major: Harmonic  Masculine, strong  Lighthearted feel Yellow River Piano Concerto  Prelude  Pentatonic Scale of D  Definite Rhythmic Drive  Exciting Characteristic  Represents rapid waters of the river

12. Second MovementSecond Movement Symphony Classique  Larghetto  Slow  Triple Meter  Tempo picks up in middle Yellow River Piano Concerto  Ballad Style  Peaceful  Pentatonic Scale of B flat  Meter goes from simple- quadruple to simple- triple  Faster tempo

13. Third MovementThird Movement Symphony Classique  Gavotte  Baroque Dance  Triple Meter  Ternary Form  Harmonic I-VII-VII Yellow River Piano Concerto  Wrath  Four Different pentatonic scales  Starts calmly with bright introduction  Cheerful and lively  Becomes dramatic, anger

14. Fourth MovementFourth Movement Symphony Classique  Molto Vivace  Sonata Allegro  Rapid and energetic  Sudden Modulation  Bright quality Yellow River Piano Concerto  Defending Yellow River  Passionate  Concludes battle  Ends with Coda  Pentatonic Scale of C  Fast tempo- simple duple  Tonic and dominant harmonies  Ends in Piano – soft

15. Works CitedWorks Cited  http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07082008- 094928/unrestricted/dissertation.pdf http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07082008- 094928/unrestricted/dissertation.pdf  http://www.class.uh.edu/Music/Koozin/techSeminar/pr okofiev/ClassicalSymphonyandCulture.htm http://www.class.uh.edu/Music/Koozin/techSeminar/pr okofiev/ClassicalSymphonyandCulture.htm  http://www.answers.com/topic/symphony-no-1-in-d- major-classical-op-25 http://www.answers.com/topic/symphony-no-1-in-d- major-classical-op-25  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Prokofiev http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Prokofiev  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian_Xinghai http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian_Xinghai