The Architectonics of the First Concerto for the Piano and Orchestra by Serhii Prokofiev

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31318/2522-4190.2019.126.197973

Keywords:

architectonics, composition, composer style of S. Prokofiev, one-part concert, theme, tempo-rhythm, performance version

Abstract

Relevance of research. Architectonics in the works of S. Prokofiev is a scantily studied field of music science. The selected perspective is one of the ways of knowing the features of his composer style.

Research objective is to identify architectonics performance features in the First Piano Concerto with Orchestra by S. Prokofiev and two of his performance versions.

Research methodology. The basic concept of the article is V. Moskalenko’s musical architectonics definition. The study is based on a method of comparing the definitions of “musical composition” and “musical architectonics”. As a result, specific features of architectonics are defined, the interconnection between composition and architectonics in the composer style of S. Prokofiev is unfolded. Composer’s statements are interpreted as actualization of the role of architectonics in his composer way of thinking. A graphic model of the First Piano Concerto’s structure is suggested as a visualization technique for architectonical plan of the musical work.

Main results and study findings. Architectonics is a more general, panoramic plan of organizing the whole structure, as opposed to a composition, in which the process of composing is emphasized. The simultaneous perception of the parts’ ratio has a sign of aestheticism. The simultaneous representation by S. Prokofiev of the architectonic whole functions as a system-creating factor at all stages of the creative process. In the First Concert for Piano and Orchestra, this phenomenon is considered on three levels: 1) architectonics as a component of the composer's design, the existence of which in this case is confirmed by the words of the composer; 2) the implementation of architectonics in the text of musical work; 3) architectonic solutions of the sounding musical work in two performing versions. The mainstay of architectonics in the First Piano Concerto in Viennese classical compositional models provides constructive clarity, harmony, stability, strength and completeness. Musical content properties of the supporting structural elements and the specific rhythm of their location in the space of the musical composition are in harmony with this phenomenon. The conceptual difference of stylistic approaches of the architectonic reading in the considered performance versions confirms the inviolacy of the composer's constructive idea, which is a conventionally dimensional expression of his intonational concept.

The significance of the research results lies in the focus on performance, in the discovery of the practical possibilities of architectonics in musical interpretation. The research on architectonics functioning peculiarities in composer and performing arts helps to increase the artistic level and the scale of musical thinking of professional musicians and helps to demonstrate their creative manner.

Author Biography

Natalya Vodolyeyeva, P. Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine

Acting Associate Professor at the Department of Chamber Ensemble

References

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Published

2019-11-28

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