Sergei Protopopov
Encyclopedia
Sergei Vladimirovich Protopopov ' onMouseout='HidePop("45243")' href="/topics/Moscow">Moscow
– 14 December 1954, Moscow) was a Russian
avant-garde
composer and music theorist.
where he pursued studies of music with theorist Boleslav Yavorsky
. He graduated in 1921 and started working as a conductor. During 1938–43, he taught at the Moscow University.
He was associated, as many composers of the Russian avant-garde
, with the Association for Contemporary Music. Due to the ideological incompatibility of avant-garde with the contemporary regime supporting socialist realism
, his works were mostly unknown following 1931.
. He also maintained a close relationship with him. Protopopov's compositions include three piano sonatas and some vocal works with piano. The piano sonatas were strongly influenced by late Scriabin. Using simultaneously sounding semitones, he created a specific harmony. Technically, they are very demanding for the interpreter, as well as for the instrument—they employ full standard range of piano, sometimes going even beyond that. The piano sonatas are often notated in three staves, and for simplicity accidentals take effect only at the given note.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
– 14 December 1954, Moscow) was a Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
composer and music theorist.
Life
Not much is known about his life. After studying medicine at the Moscow University, he attended the Kiev ConservatoryKiev Conservatory
The Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music is a Ukrainian state institution of higher music education. Its courses include postgraduate education.-History:...
where he pursued studies of music with theorist Boleslav Yavorsky
Boleslav Yavorsky
Boleslav Leopoldovich Yavorsky was a Russian musicologist, music teacher, administrator and pianist.Through his teachings and editorial positions he heavily influenced the Soviet music theory. However, outside Soviet circles, he has had little impact....
. He graduated in 1921 and started working as a conductor. During 1938–43, he taught at the Moscow University.
He was associated, as many composers of the Russian avant-garde
Russian avant-garde
The Russian avant-garde is an umbrella term used to define the large, influential wave of modern art that flourished in Russia approximately 1890 to 1930 - although some place its beginning as early as 1850 and its end as late as 1960...
, with the Association for Contemporary Music. Due to the ideological incompatibility of avant-garde with the contemporary regime supporting socialist realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
, his works were mostly unknown following 1931.
Works
Both in his compositions and in his teaching, Protopopov was a strong supporter of Yavorsky's theories of modal rhythm and tritoneTritone
In classical music from Western culture, the tritone |tone]]) is traditionally defined as a musical interval composed of three whole tones. In a chromatic scale, each whole tone can be further divided into two semitones...
. He also maintained a close relationship with him. Protopopov's compositions include three piano sonatas and some vocal works with piano. The piano sonatas were strongly influenced by late Scriabin. Using simultaneously sounding semitones, he created a specific harmony. Technically, they are very demanding for the interpreter, as well as for the instrument—they employ full standard range of piano, sometimes going even beyond that. The piano sonatas are often notated in three staves, and for simplicity accidentals take effect only at the given note.
Works for voice and piano
- Op. 4. Dve skazky na narodnyy tekst
- Op. 7. Skazka o divnom gudochke
- Op. 8. Le Printemps de la vie
- Op. 10. 2 Songs
- Op. 11. 2 Love-Songs
Other works
- Op. 3. Des lebens frühling for voice and piano trio
- together with Yavorsky: 5 Folk songs for mixed choir
External links
- [ Biography at All Music Guide]
- The Musical Legacy of Sergei Protopopoff by Anton Rovner
- Protopopov at Last Fm