Ru
EnK. Zhabinsky
F. Poulenc. Sonata for Oboe and Piano “In memory of Sergei Prokofiev”: The spiritual dialogue in the face of Eternity
The published article reveals the conceptual intention of Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1962) by F. Poulenc – it’s the outstanding example of his late work. On the one hand, it is noted that Oboe Sonata, being the author’s “offering” to the memory of the deceased S. Prokofiev, seems to summarize (along with a similar Sonata for Clarinet dedicated to the memory of A. Honegger) a very extensive series of musical and literary “memorial” works by Poulenc in the 1940s – early 1960s. Based on this, it is permissible to consider the “Prokofiev’s” opus in the context of the “tetralogy” of chamber-ensemble sonatas for woodwind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) conceived, but not completed by the author. On the other hand, each of the listed sonatas is characterized by an individual compositional structure, musical dramaturgy, as well as a specific veiled program due to a specific dedication. In particular, the artistic concept of the Oboe Sonata represents a clearly unique “dual unity” of various aspects of traditional “memorial tendency”. Throughout this cycle, the “musical portrait” of S. Prokofiev of the 1920s, captured by the composer “memoirist” (Part II – “Scherzo”), is organically supplemented by the author’s “funeral word” in memory of the deceased (Sonata finale – “Deploration”). The sharpened contrast in this case allows us to more deeply perceive the multifaceted personality of the Russian artist, which incorporates both “buffoonery” as a manifestation of an optimistic worldview, and aspiration to comprehend the religious and philosophical foundations of human existence. From the indicated perspective, the apparent convergence of the final movement of the Sonata with Poulenc’s late spiritual works (primarily the “Seven Responsories of Holy Week”) is interpreted, right down to the corresponding auto-quotations presented in the “Deploration”. Prokofiev as the personification of “righteousness” in its Evangelical interpretation is a logical “summary” affirmed by the author of the memorial opus on the threshold of Eternity and the destined “friendly meeting” in another world.
Key words
F. Poulenc, Sonata for Oboe and Piano, memorial tendency, S. Prokofiev, “musical portrait”, religious and philosophical motives.
For citation
Zhabinsky K. F. Poulenc. Sonata for Oboe and Piano “In memory of Sergei Prokofiev”: The spiritual dialogue in the face of Eternity // South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2024. No. 1. Pp. 32-39.
