Sergei Prokofiev

12. What are the main characteristics of

      PERIOD 3 of Prokofiev?

One of the main characteristics of this period was the idea of Socialist Realism. What was Socialist Realism? It was essentially state-controlled composing, and state-controlled art, state-controlled writing of literature, etc. The Soviet Union wanted music that conformed to the ideals of the Soviet authorities. The music needed to be tuneful, accessible, based on folk melodies, and full of optimism. It needed to be simple, direct, and straightforward, able to be understood by the “masses.”

MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PROKOFIEV’S FINAL PERIOD:

1) LESS DISSONANT than earlier

    music

2) More EXPRESSIVE than earlier

    music

3) More REGULAR IN RHYTHM

    and phrases as compared to 

    earlier periods

4) ACCESSIBLE

An example of Socialist Realism: Roses for Stalin, by Boris Vladimirsky