Word: prokofiev
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...first Soviet artist of stature to perform in the U.S. since Composer-Pianist Sergei Prokofiev's visit 34 years ago is Emil Gilels, who comes as Soviet Russia's "foremost pianist." Following the "spirit of Geneva," he was admitted to the U.S. as an "official" so that he would not have to be fingerprinted under the McCarran Immigration Act. But his fingers are making an unforgettable impression on U.S. audiences...
When Conductor Eugene Ormandy asked Gilels (pronounced Gill-ells) what he wanted to play at his opening concerts with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia and New York, Gilels suggested: Beethoven's Third, Prokofiev's Third, the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1. He meant all three, was pained to learn that Ormandy had chosen only one-the Tchaikovsky. As Pianist Gilels stepped onto the stage of Manhattan's Carnegie Hall last week, his short, stocky figure made him look boyish, his high cheekbones and flat face made him look Russian. But he did not seem alien. Like any pianist...
Russian Composer Prokofiev that he fled the U.S., where he had been touring since 1918. For 18 months he hid out in the depths of Bavaria-to finish another opera...
...everything. The Flaming Angel was set in medieval Germany, where witchcraft and inquisitions were the leading pastimes. The heroine was a virgin with visions who turned her search for sainthood into earthly passions before she was finally burned at the stake. Even better was the music, which Prokofiev himself declared "my greatest." But all this was not good enough; despite the efforts of such famed conductors as Bruno Walter and Serge Koussevitzky, no opera house was willing to stage the gigantic work. Prokofiev despaired of ever getting it produced-to the extent of lifting his Third Symphony almost entirely from...
...with Prokofiev's music behind it, even the most outrageous scene became plausible. The almost continuous recitative was punctuated with honest, lyrical arias, and a couple of taut musical interludes showed just how high a master could build tension. When it was all over, the audience stripped roses from the theater boxes to toss at the cast's feet, and the press tossed rosy adjectives. Would any other opera house undertake it? Probably not without drastic cuts-and a new leading lady. Said Soprano Dow: "They can do it again, but not with...