Prokofiev Sonatas IV

Some of the most varied and dazzling piano works of the twentieth century - a rare opportunity to hear Prokofiev's sonata masterpieces in sequence.Prokofiev's powerful fourth sonata dates from the same year, 1917, as the third sonata, but is a dramatic three movement narrative in contrast to the latter's single movement.

The last of the composer's sonatas written before leaving Russia, it draws like the third sonata from his student sketches.

The sonata integrates Russian fairy-tale elements, neo- Baroque gestures and neo-classical wit, partly echoing the 'Classical Symphony' also of 1917, and at the same time drawing on the mysterious style of Medtner 'Fairy-tale sonata'.

The result is a grippingly expressive narrative culminating in one of Prokofiev's most dazzling finales.The concert is introduced by the beautifully romantic 'Twelve Sketches' of Prokofiev's teacher, Reinhold Glière, who outlived his famous pupil and had a distinguished career as a Professor of Composition at the Moscow Conservatoire.Two arresting and intricate late works by Gabriel Fauré set Prokofiev's fourth sonata in a contemporary context.