Sergei Prokofiev ( 1891 - 1953 ) was still a student at the St. Petersburg Conservatory when he took the stage on 7 August 1912 to premier his 1st Piano Concerto. Since it was his first appearance with an orchestra, and expecting a rather large audience, he was predictably nervous.The crowd loved Prokofiev’s incisive playing, critics, however, were not impressed.
The work was labelled “musical mud,” and “the work of a madman.” Another critic claimed Prokofiev “ripe for the straitjacket” while a third reviewer stated that Prokofiev lacked the capacity for “novelty in the inner depths of his nature” and wondered if the piece even deserved “to be called music.” Ironically, it was the severity and the sheer viciousness of the critical reaction that brought Prokofiev instant attention and notoriety.
Throughout his conservatory days, Prokofiev was known as a rebel who liked to experiment with modernist and provocative music. Not entirely unexpectedly, a good few of his professors criticised him for his “decadence " The first piano concerto is dedicated to the “dreaded Tcherepnin,” with whom Prokofiev studied conducting. Tcherepnin’s harsh criticisms of his conducting abilities would haunt the composer for years.
Performing as the soloist, he won the Anton Rubinstein Prize for a performance of the work on 18 May 1914. Prokofiev had submitted his own concerto for the competition so that the jury “impressed by its technical novelty would be unable to judge whether he was playing it well or not.” It clearly worked, with the jury headed by Alexander Glazunov proclaiming Prokofiev the winner. Grudgingly Glazunov suggested, “This will only encourage his pernicious tendency.”
Shadorma
pernicious
more vicious insults
decadent
madman work
talent threatens those who have
doubts about their own
belief in one's self
tenacious
keep going
musical rubbish they said
they can eat their words
It is hard to continue on one's path under such criticism. But how wonderful that he did, and drew forth the music that was his to create.
ReplyDeleteI admire anyone enormously who could survive that. I suppose it helps being Russian. They do it tough.
ReplyDeleteI have become convinced that for the genius, criticism is neither a goad nor a discouragement. Instead, these folk hear only an inner voice that impels and compels them to create. Writers like me listen to what others have to say, and our work never reaches the heights of the genius oeuvre. I think of Van Gogh who only sold one painting to his brother, and of Seurat, who never sold a painting in his lifetime. I sometimes wonder what that inner voice would sound like. Your piece on Prokofiev got me mulling this phenomenon all over again.
ReplyDeleteTo believe that certainly in one's self takes a lot of will and nerve. but see it paid off
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
THEN MOON SMILED: a haiku fiction sequence
I did not link to PU today because i did poetry, still drop by
much love...
Determination like that is what makes a soul strong, even unbreakable. Good for him. Anyone who survives those labels and goes on is more than awesome in my book.
ReplyDeleteThe bitterness of Glazunov is such a good way to finish the piece. It's a good reminder that there will always be people like that. Also, people like Prokofiev... and we must choose who to be if/when our time comes.
It is for each of us, to find the balance, keep some self-respect, knowing our own shortcomings and our passions. I enjoyed your write.
ReplyDeleteI applaud anyone who goes against the grain and flows in their gift...and Prokofiev lived this. a good write.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting story, which I had not known before.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story with a note of irony and humor in its end. Is the poem the inspiration? Thank you , too, for the music.
ReplyDeleteThe classical musical world can be cruel. Funny how we musicians find our way through it anyway
ReplyDelete