Sergey Prokofiev Diaries 1924-1933: Prodigal Son

The third and final volume of Prokofiev's Diaries covers the years 1924 to 1933, during which he lived in Paris. It provides intimate accounts of his successes and disappointments, as well as witty commentaries on the personalities of the European arts world between the two world wars. The Diaries document the complex emotional inner world of a Russian exile, who was aware of the nature of life in Stalin's Russia but believed that his creative gifts would never achieve full maturity separated from his birthplace. The volume ends after June 1933, but Prokofiev and his family exchanged the life of a cosmopolitan Parisian celebrity for Soviet citizenship and Socialist Realism in another three years. Volume Three continues the impressions and stylish language of its predecessors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 1160 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

The third and final volume of Prokofiev's Diaries spans the years 1924 to 1933, during his time in Paris. Within these pages, readers are privy to intimate accounts of the triumphs and setbacks experienced by a renowned creative artist at the forefront of the European arts scene between the two world wars. Interwoven with witty and incisive observations on the individuals who inhabited this world, The Diaries provide a profound insight into the complex emotional inner world of a Russian exile, painfully aware of the realities of life in Stalin's Russia yet increasingly convinced that his artistic gifts would never reach their full potential unless he reconnected with the culture, people, and land of his birth. Recognizing the limitations of expressing his inner thoughts in the USSR, Prokofiev's Diaries conclude after June 1933, although it would take another three years before he, along with his wife and children, embraced Soviet citizenship and the ideology of Socialist Realism, which the regime sought to impose on its artists.

Volume Three maintains the vibrant and evocative style that characterized its predecessors. Prokofiev, in addition to his musical prowess, possessed an almost equal talent for writing, displaying a unique and idiosyncratic literary voice. The Diaries offer a captivating blend of personal experiences, artistic reflections, and social commentary, showcasing Prokofiev's multifaceted talents and his profound observations of the world around him.

In conclusion, The Diaries of Sergei Prokofiev serve as a captivating testament to the life and work of a remarkable composer and artist. Through his intimate writings, Prokofiev provides a unique perspective on the artistic landscape of his time, offering insights into the triumphs and challenges of a creative life lived amidst political and social upheaval. Volume Three, in particular, continues the rich tapestry of impressions and stylistic brilliance that marked the earlier volumes, leaving a lasting legacy of Prokofiev's remarkable talent and intellectual depth.

Weight: 1490g
Dimension: 233 x 154 x 55 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571380909
Edition number: Main