A COMPARISION OF PROKOFIEV’S USE OF CELLO TECHNIQUES IN HIS CELLO CONCERTO, OP. 58 (1938) AND SINFONIA CONCERTANTE, OP. 125 (1952)

This document examines the artistic collaboration between Mstislav Rostropovich (1927– 2007) and Sergey Prokofiev (1891–1953) and provides a comparative study of Prokofiev's use of cello techniques in his Cello Concerto, Op. 58 (1938) and Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125 (1952). It is interesting to see Prokofiev’s much better understanding of the possibilities of the cello in his Sinfonia Concertante, in comparison with his poor knowledge of the instrument in his Cello Concerto, where many passages are ineffective, difficult, or even unplayable. This document is intended to serve as a useful resource for cellists or anyone who are interested in the compositional background and process connected to Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante.Ope