Sergei Prokofiev's String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92 (1941) was first performed by the Beethoven Quartet in Moscow on 7 April 1942. A later concert in Moscow, on 5 September 1942, was delayed by a Nazi air raid and started late. Prokofiev thought it "an extremely turbulent success." The string quartet, lasting for 20–25 minutes, is in three movements.

Background

Prokofiev, along with other Soviet artists, was evacuated from the major cities when the Nazis broke their non-aggression pact and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. On August 8, 1941, Prokofiev traveled to

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with other artists, among them his friend, musician Nikolai Myaskovsky, actors, such as

Anton Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; 29 January 1860 Old Style date 17 January. – 15 July 1904 Old Style date 2 July.) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who is considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career ...

's widow, and others. Prokofiev stayed in the town of

, the provincial capital of the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous SSR, in the North Caucasus, about 900 miles south of Moscow (bordered by the European Russia, Turkey, and the Black and Caspian Seas). During this stay, Prokofiev was told by a government official to write a quartet using Kabardino-Balkar folk themesBaron, John H. (1998). , p. 401 and wrote this string quartet, with themes based on folk tunes, rhythms and textures. This quartet, along with the

first First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1). First or 1st may also refer to: *World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement Arts and media Music * 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...

, has entered the repertory of many string quartets.

Movements

#'' Allegro sostenuto'' #''

Adagio Adagio (Italian for 'slowly', ) may refer to: Music * Adagio, a Tempo#Basic tempo markings, tempo marking, indicating that music is to be played slowly, or a composition intended to be played in this manner * Adagio (band), a French progressive m ...

'' #''

Allegro Allegro may refer to: Common meanings * Allegro (music), a tempo marking indicate to play fast, quickly and bright * Allegro (ballet), brisk and lively movement Artistic works * L'Allegro (1645), a poem by John Milton * ''Allegro'' (Satie), an ...

Analysis

Prokofiev utilized Kabardino-Balkar folk themes in his string quartet, while at the same retaining his unique style of harmonization. The folk music character is made evident by the string quartet's imitation of oriental plucked and percussion instruments, combined with resourceful use of sonic effects. The background accompaniment in the second movement attempts to imitate the playing of the kamancheh, a stringed instrument played by Caucasians. Nikolai Myaskovsky, Prokofiev's close friend, wrote two works on Kabardino-Balkar themes, his 23rd symphony and 7th string quartet. The symphony shares a theme with the finale of Prokofiev's quartet.

Recommended Recordings

*Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2; Cello Sonata / Aurora Quartet / 1994 /

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*Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 3 and No. 7; Prokofiev: String Quartet No. 2 / The Kopelman Quartet / Nimbus Records

References

External links