Prokofiev Sonatas V

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 fifth sonata was the only sonata completed after the fourth in 1917 and before the War Sonatas, nos 6-8, were begun in 1939.

Although the composer was pleased with the work, audiences initially were less so, since its refinement, neo-classical poise and modernistic features were less attractive to the public than the brilliant energy of the second, third and fourth sonatas with which the composer tended to couple the fifth in recitals.

Prokofiev revised the sonata in 1952, largely to clarify its textures and shape, and felt particularly satisfied with the result.

It is in this version that the sonata is performed in this recital.

The elegance and beauty of this work is striking.Fauré's thirteenth Barcarolle and thirteenth Nocturne complete the first half of this recital; brilliant, poetic and complex masterpieces that pre-date Prokofiev's fifth sonata by a couple of years.

Fauré's description to his wife of the Barcarolle as 'un petit morceau de piano', is surely delicate self-mockery.Martinu's Sonata no 1 from 1953 is hidden treasure of the twentieth century.

Its visionary power stands almost alone and when played with Prokofiev's 6th sonata, as tonight's performer has frequently done, it is in no way overshadowed by the latter.

Three movements, intricately connected by recurrent ambiguous motivic figures, fragmentary melodies, .grow progressively towards a shimmering climax in the second movement, appear to expire and are resurgent in the finaleProgramme: Prokofiev, Sonata no 5; Fauré, Nocturne 13 & Barcarolle 13; Martinu, Sonata no 1