In 1939 prokofiev reworked the music into a cantata for orchestra and chorus in seven movements the film tells the story of alexander nevsky, a historical figure who in 1242 led the russian forces against. Serge prokofiev alexander nevsky opus 78 sheet music di. Prokofievs famous cantata alexander nevsky was made from portions of this film score. In 1938, sergei eisenstein made one of his most acclaimed films, alexander nevsky, on alexander s victory over the teutonic knights. Alexander nevsky 1938 gave sergei prokofiev 18911951 the opportunity to work with the visionary director sergei eisenstein 18981948 and to help create one of the most acclaimed movies ever produced in the soviet union.
The majority of the score s song texts were written by the poet vladimir lugovskoy. Alexander nevsky andrea talks with our cultural concierge, jesse kornbluth. Alexander nevsky by sergei prokofiev 18911953 full score. This monograph, with its accompanying web site, offers a rewarding perspective on prokofievs score for the film alexander nevsky, the cantata the composer fashioned and to a degree recomposed from it, and its various subsequent reincarnations, culminating in latetwentiethcentury cinema showings accompanied by full orchestra. It has remained one of the most renowned cantatas of the 20th. Adapted from prokofievs score to the film alexander nevsky 1938. The story of alexander nevsky celebrates the deeds of the thcentury russian warrior, prince alexander. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search.
Roberts prokofievs music for eisensteins film alexander nevsky was composed in 1938, at the same time as the film was being shot and edited. Prokofievs alexander nevsky a survey of the discography by. The battle on the ice work by prokofiev britannica. In stock usually ships in mf days guaranteed same day shipping for orders with ups 1, 2 or 3days shipping method selected not usps. Audiences have long enjoyed sergei prokofievs musical score for sergei eisensteins 1938 film alexander nevsky. Symphonies 3, 4 and 5 conductor sheet music full score driver. Nevsky to be an example of how cinematic programme. There are two versions of the music, 1 performances of the movie soundtrack score and 2 performances of a cantata or suite that prokofiev wrote summarizing the movie score. Sergei prokofievs significant contribution to the history of film music is documented in his score for sergei eisensteins movie alexander nevsky soviet union.
Alexander nevsky was composed by sergei prokofiev as a film score for the 1938 sergei eisenstein film alexander nevsky. Alexander nevsky, cantata for mezzosoprano, orchestra. Saint alexander nevsky prince of russia britannica. Alexander nevsky cantata choralvocal parts musica russica. Prokofievs score and cantata for eisensteins alexander. Eisenstein drew on history, russian folk narratives, and the techniques of walt disney to create this broadly painted epic of russian resilience. Alexander nevsky by sergei prokofiev 18911953 full. Of the rare exceptions, sergei prokofievs 1938 score to alexander nevsky often is hailed as the foremost example of a movie score of indisputable distinction. He was fortunate to work on equal terms with the legendary sergei eisenstein 18981948, a man who trusted him implicitly, often cutting his sequences to fit a prerecorded music track. The story of alexander nevsky celebrates the deeds of the thcentury russian warrior, prince alexander of novgorod, who was canonized a saint in the russian. In 1939 prokofiev reworked the music into a cantata for orchestra and chorus in seven movements. Petersburg philharmonic orchestra, yuri temirkanov. The movement opens with quiet tension, then bursts into frenetic action when the battle begins. Prokofievs score and cantata for eisensteins alexander nevsky.
Saint alexander nevsky, russian aleksandr nevsky, original name aleksandr yaroslavich, born c. The historical epic cast a thirteenthcentury russian victory over invading teutonic knights as an allegory of contemporary soviet strength in the face of nazi warmongering. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Feb 19, 2017 soundtrack version of sergei prokofievs cantata alexander nevsky 1938. It depicts the attempted invasion of novgorod in the th century by the teutonic knights of the holy roman empire and their defeat by prince alexander, known popularly as alexander nevsky 12201263. He defended russia and its church, defeating invading. Reconstructing the alexander nevsky film score sergei prokofievs significant contribution to the history of film music is documented in his score for sergei eisensteins movie alexander nevsky soviet union, 1938. In 1939, prokofiev arranged the music of the film score as the cantata, alexander nevsky. Prokofievs alexander nevsky musicweb international. He defended russia and its church, defeating invading swedes and two years later the teutonic knights. Sergei prokofievs alexander nevsky paperback kevin. Jul 29, 2018 anastasia boldyreva, mezzo soprano the field of the dead, prokofiev alexander nevsky.
Prokofiev alexander nevsky vocal score free download as pdf file. Other articles where the battle on the ice is discussed. The song about alexander nevsky is an uncomplicated telling of prince alexander s defeat of invading swedes on the wide waters of the river neva in 1240, abetted by local peasants armed with axes and improvised weapons. Click here for download instructions for your convenience all the files for a specific voice part have been zipped together in one file. Alexander nevsky, cantata for chorus and orchestra. Anastasia boldyreva, mezzo soprano the field of the dead, prokofiev alexander nevsky. This story of teutonic knights vanquished by prince alexander nevskys tactical brilliance resonated deeply with a soviet union concerned with the rise of nazi germany.
He later rearranged the music in the form of a cantata for mezzosoprano, chorus, and orchestra, with text by the poet vladimir lugovskoy and prokofiev himself. Serge prokofiev alexander nevsky opus 78 sheet music. Prokofiev prided himself on his professionalism and his adaptability, traits that made him ideally suited to film work. Alexander yaroslavich nick name alexander nevsky is a genuine saint canonized by the russian orthodox church in 1547. A quicker middle section piu mosso effectively recreates the sounds of battle. It is one of the few examples of film music that has.
Project muse sergei prokofievs alexander nevsky by kevin. Oct 08, 2009 alexander nevsky, a prince of novgorod, defeated the german invaders at the battle of the ice on 5 april 1242. Novgorods prince and military hero who advised his fellow princes to cooperate with the mongols and pay tribute. Live recording of a concert featuring alexander nevsky by prokofiev playlist. In 1939 prokofiev reworked the music into a cantata for orchestra and chorus in seven movements the film tells the story of alexander nevsky, a historical figure who in 1242 led the russian forces against the teutonic knights. Prokofievs alexander nevsky a survey of the discography. Alexander nevsky program notes final instantencore. Alexander nevsky film score by prokofiev britannica. Built in neobyzantine style, it serves as the cathedral church of the patriarch of bulgaria and it is believed to be one of the top 50 largest christian church. Never before and seldom after has there been a movie with this unique and perfect marriage of visual and aural elements. Project muse sergei prokofievs alexander nevsky by. This week kornbluth wants everyone to watch the 1938 russian film alexander nevsky, which. Piano, vocal sheet music book by sergei prokofiev 18911953.
The majority of the scores song texts were written by the poet vladimir lugovskoy. Alexander nevsky, film score recording details and. Nevsky was a historical personage, a prince of novgorod now regarded as a saint in the orthodox church. That exercise, perhaps occasioned by prokofievs reluctance. The young persons guide to the orchestra score sheet music score. In 1939, prokofiev arranged the music of the film score as the cantata, alexander nevsky, op. It was written for the soundtrack of a magnificent 1938 film. The subject of the film is the th century incursion of the knights of the livonian order into the territory of the novgorod republic, their capture of the city of pskov, the summoning of prince alexander nevsky to the defense of rus, and. Prokofievs alexander nevsky a survey of the discography by ralph moore during his last trip abroad in 1938, prokofiev visited various hollywood film studios, even going to walt disneys cartoon laboratories and turning down a lucrative and very tempting offer to collaborate with. Soundtrack version of sergei prokofievs cantata alexander nevsky 1938.
Like prokofiev, eisenstein had previously lived in the west, working in hollywood during the early 1930s. Serge prokofiev 1891 1953 alexander nevsky, cantata op. Prokofievs score and cantata for eisensteins alexander nevsky prokofievs score and cantata for eisensteins alexander nevsky roberts, philip d. Developed from the composers score to the film of the same name. The soundtrack for the film was written by sergei prokofiev, who also reworked the score into a concert cantata.
Alexander s son daniel was the first prince of moscow. There has been a new movie made about alexander and the battle of the neva river but so far it has only been released in russian with no other languages or subtitles. Prokofievs score and cantata for eisensteins alexander nevsky in. Symphonies n 4, 5 and 6 full score score sheet music. The song about alexander nevsky is an uncomplicated telling of prince alexanders defeat of invading swedes on the wide waters of the river neva in 1240, abetted by local peasants armed with axes and improvised weapons. Alexander nevsky download free sheet music and scores scorser. This cd has the soundtrack score, not just the cantata.
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