''Flourish, Mighty Land'', Op. 114, (variably called ''Flourish, Mighty Homeland'' or ''Prosper, Mighty Country'') is a
cantata
A cantata (; ; literally "sung", past participle feminine singular of the Italian verb ''cantare'', "to sing") is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir.
The meaning o ...
written by
Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev; alternative transliterations of his name include ''Sergey'' or ''Serge'', and ''Prokofief'', ''Prokofieff'', or ''Prokofyev''., group=n (27 April .S. 15 April1891 – 5 March 1953) was a Russian composer, ...
in 1947, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the
October Revolution
The October Revolution,. officially known as the Great October Socialist Revolution. in the Soviet Union, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin that was a key mom ...
, along with his
''Thirty Years''.
Background
In contrast to the monumental ''
Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution'', this cantata, in one movement, lasts 8 minutes. It is scored for chorus and orchestra.
Analysis
The cantata opens with a trumpet theme in D-flat major, which is subsequently treated to Prokofiev's typical harmonic modulations. After a repeat of the theme by muted trumpet and piccolo, strings and woodwinds develop it.
The chorus then introduce a glowing theme
a cappella
''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...
, which alternates with pure orchestral sections. The climax is reached half-way, when the chorus and the orchestra perform together.
The chorus repeats the a cappella sections again, this time interrupted by marching orchestral chords. The chorus then fades out, and the opening trumpet theme returns. The cantata ends with three notes in descending tritones (high D-flat, G, low D-flat).
Instrumentation
:Piccolo
:2 Flutes
:2 Oboes
:English Horn
:2 Clarinets
:Bass Clarinet
:2 Bassoons
:Contrabassoon
:4 Horns
:3 Trumpets
:3 Trombones
:Tuba
:Timpani
:Percussion (Triangle, Tambourine, Castanets, Snare Drum, Cymbals, Bass Drum)
:Harp
:Piano
:Strings (1st and 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses)
:Chorus
Premiere
12 November 1947, Moscow: Nikolai Anosov (conductor), USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Russian Federal SSR Choir.
Recordings
{{Authority control
Cantatas by Sergei Prokofiev
1947 cantatas