Prokofieff, Serge: The Love for Three Oranges op. 33 - Symphonic Suite op. 33a (1919) 17'
Scoring
2.picc.2.corA.2.bcl.3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(3):t.bells/xyl/ cyms/tam-t/tgl/BD/SD/tamb-2harps-strings
Repertoire Note
The youthful Prokofieff was a master of laughter, absurdity and colour, but nowhere more so than in his enchanting fairy-tale opera, based on the Italian writer Gozzi’s commedia dell’arte satire The Love for Three Oranges. The pantomime-like plot concerns the adventures of a young prince, cursed by a wicked witch and forced to voyage into distant lands in search of three oranges inside each of which is a princess.
In his six-movement symphonic suite, Prokofieff includes some of the loudest and most garish and comical passages of the opera including the music of the clowns, the card-game between the magician and the wicked witch, and the world-famous March. All this bustle and excitement is offset by the lyrical love-music which accompanies the prince’s meeting with the princess of the third orange.
Note by Gerard McBurney
Recommended Recording
Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Chandos CHAN 8729
Scoring
2.picc.2.corA.2.bcl.3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(3):t.bells/xyl/ cyms/tam-t/tgl/BD/SD/tamb-2harps-strings
Repertoire Note
The youthful Prokofieff was a master of laughter, absurdity and colour, but nowhere more so than in his enchanting fairy-tale opera, based on the Italian writer Gozzi’s commedia dell’arte satire The Love for Three Oranges. The pantomime-like plot concerns the adventures of a young prince, cursed by a wicked witch and forced to voyage into distant lands in search of three oranges inside each of which is a princess.
In his six-movement symphonic suite, Prokofieff includes some of the loudest and most garish and comical passages of the opera including the music of the clowns, the card-game between the magician and the wicked witch, and the world-famous March. All this bustle and excitement is offset by the lyrical love-music which accompanies the prince’s meeting with the princess of the third orange.
Note by Gerard McBurney
Recommended Recording
Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Chandos CHAN 8729
Click here to purchase this CD set from our online shop
Mailing List
Sign up for news updates and offers via email
SIGN UPFeatured Publication
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Mussorgsky's famous work in Ravel's technicolour orchestration is included in the Masterworks Library of full scores, ideal for conductors, students and music lovers.
READ MORENew Photo Prints Shop
