Protopopov - Piano Sonata No. 2 Op. 5 (Part 1/2)

Part one of the single-movement Second Piano Sonata (1924).

Sergei Protopopov (1893-1954) was a conductor, composer, and musicologist who taught at the Moscow Conservatory. He was relegated to obscurity along with the other Soviet Avant-Gardists for his "formalistic" and intensely expressionistic music. Protopopov was an advocate of the theoretical system developed by his mentor, Boleslav Yavorsky. Most of Protopopov's works (three piano sonatas and some vocal pieces) are influenced by Yavorsky's theories, which concern the use of modal rhythm and tritones. Suffice to say, Protopopov's three piano sonatas are based on Scriabin's late harmonic language. Composer and scholar, Larry Sitsky, says Protopopov's sonatas are "important milestones in the development of the large-scale piano repertoire [and] legitimate successors to Scriabin."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mosolov
• roslavets
• scriabin
• shostakovich
• prokofiev
• avant
• garde

[John11inch]

The chord progressions in those crashing passages are so simple, but still sound so other-worldly. This piece is really one of the pinnacles of this era. You wouldn't happen to have either of the other two sonatas, would you?

[Hexameron]

Protopopov is a strange figure. He wrote only 3 piano sonatas and some vocal works; nothing else. I do have the score of the 1st sonata but no extant recordings. We're lucky Schleiermacher paid any attention at all to this guy in his Soviet Avant-Garde recordings.

[mickyj300x]

How on earth did Schleiermacher get a piano that could play that high C# at 1:11?

[auerod]

Natural for fans of Roslavets to should enjoy this. I can't get enough of late Liszt/Soviet Avant-Gardist music. Unbelievably atmospheric and expressionistic!

[OniyukiRyuken]

@a1s2d3f4g5q1w2e3 Bosendorfer Emperor, the 97 key monstrosity also goes up to F in both ends of the keyboard, I do love Stuart and Sons because they combine the Felt double-layering of Kawaii, with the Steinway-esque release action, with the Bosendorfer F to F range, with the Fazioli 4th pedal that simply moves the hammers closer rather than going to Una Corda...and they have awesome woods...granted these pianos are insanely expensive but they definitely are worth it.

[LesbianStraightGay]

@TheRealLordRama I would also mention Luigi Russolo - one of the earliest avantgardists.

[TheRealLordRama]

@evilpacman1742 There's a ton of avant-garde "classical" composers you should be interested in. The 2nd Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern), Stockhausen, Varese, Berio, Ustvolskaya, Messiaen, Nancarrow, Ligeti, Penderecki, Partch, George Crumb, Gloria Coates... just tons! Not to mention legions of avant-jazz artists, a genre I'm less familiar with unfortunately. Not sure how any of those relate to the Residents, but avant-garde music is a very old thing.

[HandyTheXxxX]

@KeithWhalen11

It's weird to know that I've actually met Larry and played in the world premiere of his C-major Symphony. He's a bit pompous I must say. A bit on his high horse! :D

[evilpacman1742]

I feel like my beliefs have been blasphemous this whole time. Until I heard this, I was under the impression that The Residents pioneered avant-garde music. Now I know where The Residents got their influence from. WOW. It is now my goal in life to play this song.

[a1s2d3f4g5q1w2e3]

@mickyj300x It's a high C, tuned slightly sharper than normal - but not quite a C#. Stuart and Sons is the only manufacturer at present, it seems, that makes pianos that go up to F

[playadom]

hah, me too