The Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev first arrived in America on August 21, 1918, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and in the final act of the First World War. To mark the centenary of Prokofiev’s first year in America, the Kennan Institute and the National Symphony Orchestra are pleased to present a celebration of Prokofiev and America. The NSO's Last Stand Quartet performed Prokofiev’s String Quartet No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 50, which was commissioned by the Library of Congress in 1931. Princeton University musicologist Simon Morrison delivered the keynote address, “Prokofiev’s Demons.”
Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to post the entire recording. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Moderator:
Natalie Rouland - Senior Advisor, Kennan Institute
Speaker:
Simon Morrison - Professor of Music, Department of Music, Princeton University
