ALEXANDER NEVSKY ~PROKOFIEV

 

Movements
1. "Russia under the Mongolian Yoke" - The opening movement begins slowly, and in C minor. It is meant to evoke an image of destruction, as brought to Russia by the invading Mongols.
2. "Song about Alexander Nevsky" - This movement (B flat) represents Prince Alexander Yaroslavich's victory over the Swedish army at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. Alexander received the name 'Nevsky' (a form of Neva) in tribute.
3. "The Crusaders in Pskov" - For this movement (C-sharp minor), Prokofiev's initial intention was to use genuine 13th century church music; however, the examples he found in the Moscow Conservatoire sounded so cold, dull and alien to the 20th century ear that he abandoned the idea and instead composed an original theme "better suited to our modern conception" to evoke the brutality of the Teutonic Knights.[2]
4. "Arise, ye Russian People" - This movement (E flat) represents a call to arms for the people of Russia. It is composed with folk overtones.
5. "The Battle on the Ice" - The fifth (and longest) movement is arguably the climax of the cantata. It represents the final clash between Nevsky's forces and the Teutonic Knights on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus in 1242. The serene beginning (representing dawn on the day of battle) is contrasted by the jarring middle section, which is cacophonous in style.
6. "The Field of the Dead" - Composed in C minor, the sixth movement is the lament of a girl seeking her lost lover, as well as kissing the eyelids of all the dead. The vocal solo is performed by a mezzo-soprano.
7. "Alexander's Entry into Pskov" - The seventh and final movement (B flat) echoes the second movement in parts, and recalls Alexander's triumphant return to Pskov.