Prokofiev's Music for Children: 12 Easy Pieces Op. 65 Piano Book

Edition Peters Prokofiev's Music for Children: Op. 65 Piano Book 📚

12 Easy Pieces for Young Pianists 

Prokofiev’s Music for Children: 12 Easy Pieces Op. 65 is a delightful collection that pairs music with imagery, capturing the essence of time (The Morning, The Evening), landscapes (Rain and Rainbow, Round Dance of Crickets, Crescent Moon Hovers over the Meadow), children’s scenes (Little Fairy Tale, Remorse, Children’s Game), and dance movements (Tarantella, Waltz, March). These pieces are carefully crafted to be accessible for young pianists, making them perfect for both learning and enjoyment. 28 pages.

Song Titles Include:

• The Morning / Der Morgen
• The Evening / Der Abend
• Rain / Regen
• Rainbow / Regenbogen
• Round Dance of Crickets / Reigentanz der Grillen
• Crescent Moon Hovers over the Meadow / Mondsichel schwebt über der Wiese
• Little Fairy Tale / Kleines Märchen
• Remorse / Gewissensbisse
• Children’s Game / Kinderspiel
• Tarantella
• Waltz / Walzer
• March / Marsch

Who Was Sergei Prokofiev?

Sergei Prokofiev (often spelled "Prokofieff") was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, considered one of the major figures of 20th-century classical music. Born on April 23, 1891, in Sontsovka, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), and passing away on March 5, 1953, in Moscow, Prokofiev's life and career spanned a period of intense change in both Russia and the world.

Prokofiev was a prodigy, composing his first piano piece at the age of five and his first opera at nine. He went on to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where his talents in composition, piano, and conducting were quickly recognised. Early in his career, Prokofiev gained a reputation as an avant-garde composer, known for his daring harmonies, innovative structures, and energetic rhythms.

Some of his most famous works include:

1. **Peter and the Wolf** - A beloved children's story told through music, where each character is represented by a different instrument or musical theme.
2. **Romeo and Juliet** - A ballet based on Shakespeare's play, renowned for its powerful and evocative music.
3. **Piano Concertos** - Prokofiev composed five piano concertos, which are staples in the repertoire and known for their technical difficulty and lyrical beauty.
4. **Symphonies** - He composed seven symphonies, with the "Classical Symphony" (Symphony No. 1) being one of the most famous, reflecting a modern take on classical forms.
5. **War Sonatas** - His Piano Sonatas Nos. 6, 7, and 8, often referred to as the "War Sonatas," are among his most challenging and profound works.

Prokofiev's style is characterised by its melodic invention, rhythmic drive, and a unique blend of modernism and traditionalism. He composed in a wide variety of genres, including operas, ballets, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. Despite the political upheavals of his time, including the Russian Revolution and World War II, Prokofiev's music remained vibrant and influential.

His later years were marked by a return to the Soviet Union, where he had a complex relationship with the government. While he achieved great success, he also faced criticism and censorship during the Stalinist regime, particularly for some of his more experimental works. Despite these challenges, Prokofiev continued to compose prolifically until his death. His music remains widely performed and loved today, admired for its innovation, expressiveness, and technical brilliance.