Anyone who’s a music lover should check out the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major.
It’s an outstanding composition whose first movement gets feverish as well as lightheartedly lovely, whose second movement is strikingly jaunty, and whose third movement is poignant and highly melodic. It may be the best thing Prokofiev ever wrote.
For pared-down strings, I recommend Leos Janacek’s String Quartet No. 1 (inspired by the Tolstoy story, “The Kreutzer Sonata”)–just as rich and accessible as the Prokofiev piece.
English: Sergei Prokofiev playing his 3d Piano Concerto with the Orchestre Symphonique de Brussel under Désiré Defauw pencil on paper 22.8 x 16.9 cm signed l.l.: HW signed by performer l.r.: Serge Prokofieff February 1936 Palais de Beaux-Arts, Brussel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Monica
Prokofiev’s violin concertos are among the greatest and most immediately likeable pieces of music written this century. This is by far the best recording I have heard of them.
Bridget
Just checked out your recommendation and I can fully agree with you that it is really a work of a genius. Now I have another set of music to look out for.
Kelly Evans
Thanks for this recommendation since I am a music lover I will check out Sergei Prokofiev.
Ellen Howell
I like the Sergei Prokofiev’s music concerto. He has his masterpiece that can inspire a lot of musicians. He created interesting music.
Kandice Zisk
We are so lucky to have Sergei Prokofiev who gave wonderful and inspiration music.