A prolific, precocious composer, Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) began to work on all the most demanding music genres from a very early age, and immediately distinguished himself for the brilliant originality of his language.

In 1917, Prokofiev composed his Concerto No. 1 in D major opus 19 for violin and orchestra. This is a work of essentially lyrical tones, though not without moments of dizzying, acrobatic instrumental virtuosity. The Concerto No. 2 in G minor opus 63 belongs to a particularly felicitous period of Prokofiev’s creativity, more orthodox in form than opus 19, this is a piece that is rich in melodic invention and irresistible moments, wholly pervaded by Prokofiev’s typical irony, where the search for expressive immediacy does not exclude the use of language which is often harsh. The album concludes with the Sonata in C major for two violins opus 56.

Born as a sort of musical game of chess (Prokofiev was known to be an excellent chess player), the Sonata in C major is structured in four movements which recall the order of the old sonatas of the eighteenth century (slow / quick / slow / quick), and opens with an Andante cantabile conceived as a recitative of great expressive force. This is followed by an Allegro in sonata form, full of verve and dynamism, a Comodo, quasi Allegretto used as an intermezzo, and a final Allegro con brio, of playful and at times caricature-like tone.