A Comparison Between Symphony Classique Op. 25 and Yellow River Piano Concert

1. A Comparison Between Symphony ClassiqueOp. 25 and Yellow River Piano Concert By: Samantha Tagle

2. Serge Prokovief Russian Composer, pianist, and conductor One of the major composers of the 20th 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 Classique Prokovief’s Symphony Classique is a piece filled with ambiguous irony and admiration of the 18th century’s classical music Composed in 1916 Four movement form: Allegro, Larghetto, Gavotte:NonTroppo 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 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 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 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 Comparison Symphony Classique Yellow River Piano Concerto Originally 8 movements but got rearranged into 4: Prelude, Ode, Wrath of the Yellow River, Defend the Yellow River • Four Movements: Allegro, Larghetto, Gavotte:NonTroppo Allegro, Finale: Molto VivaceAllegro

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

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

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

14. Fourth Movement Symphony Classique 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 • Molto Vivace • Sonata Allegro • Rapid and energetic • Sudden Modulation • Bright quality

15. Works Cited http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07082008-094928/unrestricted/dissertation.pdf http://www.class.uh.edu/Music/Koozin/techSeminar/prokofiev/ClassicalSymphonyandCulture.htm 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/Xian_Xinghai