Prokofiev himself thought of this piece as the best music he ever wrote. I think also it belongs to his best works despite of the terrible text. The music expresses hope itself. If this isn't hope / yearning for happiness i don't know what is.
Excellent Someone should post the entire performance. Prokofiev was the only composer I know of who could write masterpieces on subject matter he cared nothing for. In this case, it was Stalin, one of the most despicable criminal leaders in history.
Uno de los fragmentos mas brillantes de toda la mùsica. Brillante proko, pese al règimen de mmerda que imperò y lo llevò a la tristeza y muerte. Otro ejemplo de los que caen en las garras del socialismo y comunismo, que prometen igualdad para todos, bajo el pretexto de una solidaridad inexistente, y que sòlo consiguen enviar a la pobreza y miseria a la mayorìa.
How happy you made me to put in this place "Zdravitsa"...I was looking for for many many years...Unfortunately you have not the enterely record, no where in Internet but here I couold find this "Sing of salute"! Except of course in the web CD to buy, but I refuse to order through the web, in FRANCE no possibility to find it! Can anyone could help me? may be sending in mp3? never mind the video. Thanks Frédérick, FRANCE.
Well, I wouldn't be so cynical as to say opportunist - Prokofiev was a professional and he served his paymaster to the best of his ability. I think he certainly earned his commisison here, eh.
Ironically, Prokofiev and Stalin died on the same day. For Stalin's funeral, there were so many people gathered that many were trampled to death. In contrast, only few people attended Prokofiev's funeral. There weren't even any musicians available to play during the burial.
Huhu, can this not be enabled for embedding again. I wanna put it on my Friendster page to educate visitors that something nice (even if tongue in cheek) could be written about Uncle Joe. It hadn't been disabled til recently. Wotstheproblem?
kapariz44, I don' think Prokofiev was either indifferent or cynical. He was simply an opportunist. Not the first genius composer to kiss up to his patron to have favor and protection.
Rousing stuff ha. I don't think it would all go on to one youtube clip - the whole work runs to about 13 min. But even if Prokofiev was not a great Stalin fan, he must have had some regard for the man; the musical setting is just to good for him to have been entirely indifferent or cynical. Such fine music - too fine really for the rather banal, sycophantic texts. Full marks to the choir for singing it with a straight face hehe!
More or less a forced composition Prokofiev had to write (remember this is under Stalin's rule), interestingly enough Richter said it was a great piece that is unfortunately forever linked to Stalin. @Zakdayak rip it from youtube
you know a lot of people loved stalin for turning their lives around? ur just blinded by propoganda. life was miserable before stalin for the majority and there was no equality of races or the genders not to mentionthat people had no work. Thats why there was a revolution and under his rule the country became very well off relatively.
