Quintet (Prokofiev)

Sergei Prokofiev's Quintet in G minor, Op. 39 (1924) is scored for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola and double bass. The quintet, closely related to Prokofiev's ballet, Trapèze, contains six movements and lasts 20-25 minutes.

Background

In 1924, when Prokofiev was staying in Paris, a travelling troupe commissioned a chamber ballet from him. However, the ensemble that provided music accompaniment to the troupe only contained five members. This provided Prokofiev an opportunity to write more chamber music. His most recent chamber piece had been the Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34 (1919).

Later, Prokofiev incorporated the ballet music into two pieces: Quintet, Op. 39 (1924) and Divertimento Op. 43 (1925-29).

Movements

1. Tema con variazioni
2. Andante energico
3. Allegro sostenuto, ma con brio
4. Adagio pesante
5. Allegro precipitato, ma non troppo presto
6. Andantino

The related ballet, Trapèze, recently reconstructed, is in five movements:

1. Overture
   1. Moderato, molto ritmato
2. Matelote
   1. Allegro
3. The Ballerina
   1. Tema con variazioni
   2. Andante energico
4. Dance of the Tumblers
   1. Allegro sostenuto, ma con brio
   2. Adagio pesante
   3. Allegro precipitato, ma non troppo presto
5. Mourning the Ballerina
   1. Andantino

See also

• Prokofiev - Chamber Music
• Prokofiev - List of Compositions

External links

• Quintet, Op. 39: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Complete (22:49).
• Prokofiev Quintet in G minor, Opus 39 (1924).
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Part 1 (05:57).
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Part 2 (02:43).
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Part 3 (02:36).
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Part 4 (03:49).
  • Video - Prokofiev Quintet in G minor - Part 5 (08:13).