S.Prokofiev：Music for Children, Op.65

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＞　Music for Children, Op.65

overview

After the Russian Revolution, Prokofiev left his home country and continued his musical activities abroad, but returned to Russia in 1935 due to changes in the world situation. At this time, Russia was emphasizing music education as a national policy, and it was necessary to write works for children who were clear and artistically talented. This collection of works was written there. On top of a simple and easy-to-understand writing style that makes you think, “Prokofiev could write such a piece!”, he generously throws in diverse rhythms and bold sounds. It claims to be for children, but don’t underestimate it… Rhythmic, mysterious sounding, and sometimes lyrical… It’s a collection of 12 diverse songs. A perfect introduction to Prokofiev and Modernism classical music.

My Recommendation

♫ No. 1. Matin (Morning) ♫ No. 4. Tarantelle (Tarantella) ♫ No. 7. Cortege de sauterelles (Procession of grashoppers) ♫ No. 12. Sur les pres la lune se promene (The moon over the meadows)

title	level	YouTube
Comments

1. Matin (Morning)	B2	♫
playing time: 2”00 “Andante tranquillo” The opening instructions describe this song in one word. It needs to be slow and gentle, but it also needs to have a driving power that makes it feel like the start of the day. Understand each symbol well, such as chords, slurs, passages without slurs, tenuto, etc., and characterize them when you play. For example, the chord with tenuto at the beginning. Notes with a tenuto are basically played with “keeping it well”. Based on that premise, I wanted a tenuto chord that wasn’t too heavy and would be suitable for the start of the morning. Do you play a short tenuto (kind of an oxymoron, haha)? Touch the keyboard lightly? Lay your fingers down? Or do you stand fingers to make the sound clearer? If you imagine what kind of sound it represents in the morning scene, you can play it in many different ways. I didn’t make it very clear, and where two notes follow, I blended just a little in the previous note. Try to hit the keys slowly, but with your fingers slightly stood, aiming for a clear sound. Like the morning sun shining through each window, like the sunlight peeking through the leaves of a tree… ◇About the performance [5] The phrase that starts with a 16th note sounds like an alarm clock. But it hasn’t happened yet. In the languid and relaxed atmosphere…[8] I was called again. (With snooze function!?) [9] While the eighth notes in the right hand are continuous and propulsive, the left hand is a little heavier and has a long slur. The world slowly awakens to the dotted rhythm of “one step forward, two steps back.” Since left hand melody is profound, you can balance it by playing with a light, non-legato touch with your right hand. [16] I confess that this measure is my favorite part. The right-hand tie seemed to be hesitating something, and the left-hand melody is risen for a moment and then disappeared. It’s a calm and lonely dolce. [18] Let’s make the dotted half note resonate comfortably as if it were stretching.

2. Promenade

3. Historiette (Little Story)

4. Tarantelle (Tarantella)

5. Repentirs (Regrets)

6. Valse (Waltz)

7. Cortege de sauterelles (Procession of grasshoppers)

8. La pluie et l’arc-en-ciel (Rain and rainbow)

9. Attrape qui peut (Catch me if you can)

10.Marche (March)

11.Soir (Evening)

12. Sur les pres la lune se promene (The moon over the meadows)	B2	♫
playing time: 1”50 It’s not flashy, but it’s a piece that exudes a gentle brightness. The theme at the beginning brings the whole story together and there is a flow to it. Isn’t the sound strange in some places? There is a part that says, but I wonder if it is intentionally left feeling strange, or if it is a part that has not been refined yet. ◇About the performance [1] I think this right hand is connected to the accompaniment from [2], so play with that in mind. It’s the first measure, but don’t play it too hard. [19] The theme appears in a different range. Your right hand will be the accompaniment, so turn down the volume and play with your right hand. [43] ~ The eighth notes on the first and third beats on the right hand side will be a countermelody, so make them stand out a little.