Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op. 82 (Lugansky)

There are many who assert this is the jewel of the War Sonata trilogy. While the Seventh has been more popular over the years, the Sixth is more epic and dramatic, bigger and deeper in expressive range, and more dynamic and colorful. With the possible exception of the Eighth, it is arguably Prokofiev's greatest piano sonata.
The first of its four movements is marked Allegro moderato and begins with a powerful motif, or motto, built largely around a rhythmic four-note pattern that insistently repeats. Each hand is playing in a different key here -- A major and A minor -- thus setting the stage for the notion of conflict that dominates the work. An alternate theme (1:24) brings serenity for a time, but in the development section (3:05), it is drawn into the warring atmosphere by the angry opening motto. Here the sense of terror is heightened as powerful dissonances (some chords are played col pugno -- with the fist) seem to crush everything in sight. The reprise (6:17) is considerably abridged and filled with apprehension, and the movement ends in a mood of ambivalence with an abrupt statement of the motto.
The second movement (Allegretto) is lighter and dance-like, and even contains humor in its jaunty music. Still, its mysterious middle section (10:39) features an undercurrent of tension and the movement on the whole hardly comes across as joyous or sunny. The succeeding panel is a slow waltz (Tempo di valzer lentissimo) of fragile, touching beauty in the outer sections. The interior (16:43) is stormy and finally erupts, first violently, then with a passionate outpouring before fading back into the lovely waltz theme.
The finale (Vivace) is chock full of striking themes: it begins with a typically lively Prokofievian creation, whose rhythmic, percussive character brims with headlong drive. A calmer, somewhat playful theme (20:27) follows immediately, and soon two more themes are heard in rapid succession, the first motoric and frenzied (21:13), the second humorous and playful and conveying a sense of mocking laughter (21:32). The middle section (22:12) recalls the motto from the opening movement, but with its first note missing. Themes are reprised and the work concludes with a powerful coda (26:17), wherein the motto, transformed and abbreviated, is hammered out violently amid swirls of harried notes, and then played in full in rapid, stammer-like descending chords to proclaim a most crushing triumph.
0:00 - Allegro moderato
8:24 - Allegretto
12:54 - Tempo di valzer lentissimo
20:08 - Vivace

[@user-re9sn3ub1z]

00:00 Allegro moderato 8:24 Allegretto 12:54 Tempo di valzer lentissimo 20:08 Vivace

[@user-hf4pi5do9h]

ㄱㅅ

[@pianistofmusic290]

Thank you!

[@yoonkyunglee6376]

ㅋㅋ

[@vt2637]

Perfection! Lugansky is unparallelled. That last movement was crazy. The accuracy and clarity was unbelievable, and with that speed!!!!

[@jeffstarr2545]

This is a great performance!

[@justaharmlesspotato69]

@jeff starr agreed!

[@MrBruno7447]

"A Major"

[@DariusMo]

Sarcasm.

[@GUILLOM]

@@DariusMo why

[@RudolfCickoMusic]

@@GUILLOM Because it doesn't sound something happy, Major..

[@GUILLOM]

@@RudolfCickoMusic Lol it does sound like major

[@BrassicaRappa]

lol Sonata in the key of... look just don't worry about it - there's going to be lots of accidentals, k?

[@user-vz6dc2bd2q]

МССМШ Гнесиных) ГП 00:02 СП 00:50 ПП 1:25 ЗП 2:17 3:07 начало разработки (на основе ПП) 3:55 ПП в увеличении 5:46 6:18 Реприза 7:10 ПП в репризе 7:30 кода 2 часть 8:25 осн. 10:40 средний раздел 3 часть 12:53 осн. 15:35 ср. р. 18:58 кода (на материале ср.р.) Финал 20:09 ГП (рефрен) 20:27 ПП1 20:32 ПП2 22:13 центральный эпизод на материале ГП 1 части 24:53 ПП2 25:30 ПП 1 (видоизмененная в сторону лиричности) 26:00 рефрен и кода

[@phoebedraper3046]

4:21 thats a powerful chord

[@katrinkkkk565]

5:00

[@steveegallo3384]

@@katrinkkkk565 -- Yes indeed.....BRAVO from Acapulco!

[@ekaterinakozlovskaia8082]

Thanks for posting. Was listening to it on a concert yesterday and decided to listen again. So powerful! Totally awesome! Luganski did a great job!

[@ajvorob9117]

The first movement is so brutal and intense that the three movements that follow it seem to be almost relaxing in comparison

[@lakek9573]

Hard to relax with the 4th movement…

[@legron121]

The 3rd movement almost puts me to sleep! (Though not through boredom, I will add.)

[@Aminuteorso...]

The beat drop at 21:29 is 🔥🔥

[@arnekorpen3143]

The sickest drop is 26:20

[@GrayNotes]

"Vivace" .... a nice euphemism :) Overwhelming performance!

[@kniazigor2276]

Magnifique version de Lugansky !!!! BRAVISSIMO !!!

[@joshuaslater7858]

nearly finished learning the sonata. Love it.

[@madripoor6652]

The second movement sounds like a cease-fire for Christmas would sound like

[@operamiser]

Congratulations you are worded such an unwordable thing

[@MitchSumner]

This is some of the most thrilling music to listen to stoned. Damn that second to last measure kills me every time.

[@ajvorob9117]

I think it'd be scary listening to it stoned. By itself the music is already pretty unsettling.

[@MitchSumner]

@@ajvorob9117 What often happens for me is that I lose the inhibition's of the preconceived notions I have about music and can just fall in love with the sound. Things I might otherwise find too cheesy say, or others too angular and dissonant. This music is so novel and difficult to predict that makes for an adventure.

[@ajvorob9117]

@@MitchSumner I understand where you're coming from

[@EntelSidious_gamzeylmz]

the same feeling also comes when you are drunk/half sleeping, the music feels more dreamy and godly lmao

[@user-qu9gn5sn1v]

戦争ソナタと曲をイメージ付けるものはあるものの、ひとつひとつのフレーズや和音が何を表現しているのかを考えるのが、練習している時にある意味とても楽しかった記憶がある。 人それぞれ解釈はあると思うが、感情や情景、世界、譜面の継ぎ接ぎ感がたまらなかった。

[@KR-mm4el]

that development section is some one of the most intense and thrillng music ever written! if there is really such music that is indicative of war, this is it 😨

[@kKpeaceKk]

The third "movement" reminds me of his 2nd piano concerto. Anyone else hear that? Love this Sonata, love Lugansky!

[@manuelbes]

Love this sonata

[@user-be8ik1sk2u]

20:05

[@342567345]

Tecnica superlativa...Lugansky uno dei migliori per gli autori russi...

[@ShuckleDoesGaming]

That fucking motif is the best shit ive ever heard

[@deleted-le2gj]

maybe you'll like this too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3fNm3qrmZmEgrs

[@wilh3lmmusic]

@@deleted-le2gj wow not a spam link to your own video!

[@yeetthebeet]

@@wilh3lmmusic lmao

[@richardvolpe7664]

To ShuckleDoesGaming: My oh my - - where did you ever learn how to express yourself with such enviable eloquence?

[@a_gaybitch8311]

Shut up

[@Latinosmassacre-]

his piece are so difficult to understand but theres always a very beautiful part 9:54🥰

[@malkin_laboratory4692]

I tried to understand Prokofiev some years, and now I feel like I have most expensive diamond.

[@ajvorob9117]

I don't think his pieces are necessarily difficult to understand but what I like about Prokofiev is that he always takes the music in surprising and unusual directions. I would sooner listen to him than the pleasantly dull music of Mozart.

[@Latinosmassacre-]

well 9 months later now im started listen stanchinsky ;anatoly and more also sorabji

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

What about 1:24?

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

And indeed that section is really mind-blowing too!

[@nicoloclementi1506]

Futurism at its finest-

[@meloncollector6662]

This version is excellent. If you haven't already you should listen to the Pogorelich recording, which in my opinion just edges this one out. Thanks for the upload.

[@janearao7058]

and Alexei Melnikov's recording too :)

[@dawnr8141]

@@janearao7058 no, pogorelich is better

[@dawnr8141]

@@janearao7058 jk i just listen to it. It was very good

[@asddfgfjhgjhu]

Гениальное исполнение!.. И удары кулаком в нужных местах - все на месте.)))

[@sergeijprokofiev3474]

I composed this just to make this impossible, and now Lugansky played this perfectly... *welcome to Russians' Club*

[@akbarkazimakis6]

@Cziffra György too easy for you though lmao

[@33quin97]

just need two hands a piano and try hard，and finally find out that I cannot do this

[@W.D._Gaster]

Hello prokofiev, what was the 1900s like i was in 1800s

[@DavidBallpianist]

Its far for impossible.

[@sergeijprokofiev3474]

@@DavidBallpianist yea yea I know it was a joke xdxd

[@mold971]

3rd movement seems inspired a little by rach prelude 23 4 also wowie at the brief contrapunctus xi quote at 23:27

[@debussychopin2766]

Industrial hardcore modern cold war sounds are similar to Debussy's etudw pour la accords. But like a mini version. Please listen to it. The best rendition if it is Uchida's playing of it (wearing the Royal blue blouse)

[@amberleewoodhouse5817]

Nearly finished learning the entire sonata for a recital.

[@DanielRobertspiano]

Best wishes!

[@annulrsolformrkelse4023]

How did it go?

[@YL-kl5iv]

that is awesome

[@justaharmlesspotato69]

Me too! Learning it during coronavirus quarantine... it’s going pretty well!

[@amberleewoodhouse5817]

Hey, I ended up performing this at my sophomore recital a little over a year ago. Here's a link to my performance of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGSaeY2Qn7qJrrs

[@AhmetSezgin-yz9zq]

My favorite sonata and first parts finale...

[@allenwatanabe4486]

This is speechless. Fury melody with perfect technique gives me bombastic impression.

[@stefansavic3459]

Ingenious sonata

[@Spark-pv9js]

At 26:37 right hand plays B-flat major, and left D-major scale but it sounds so relentless and evil, its genius!

[@andreasneumann]

The 2nd movement seems to be the source of the American Christmas song " Little Drummer Boy " produced one year later.

[@nss4472]

15:42 - 16:10 Prokofiev's tribute to Rachmaninov... So nice! ❤

[@vine2197]

Nice part

[@Whatismusic123]

Wasn't prokofiev a rachmaninoff hater?

[@yhkalk]

Juste incroyable ! Comment être aussi clair et précis dans le dernier mouvement ?

[@geoycs]

Fantastic!

[@danielseleverstov-kc3uq]

This might actually be angrier and heavier than most metal.

[@scriabinalexander3405]

It definitely is, even among the heaviest subgenres lol

[@anselmovieti5260]

Prokofiev è un nostro amico? AMOREVOLE.

[@Wosudhehqaxb9169]

I can imagine a nuke exploding at 6:31

[@phoebedraper3046]

8:12 as well

[@radudeATL]

I was seriously considering learning this one just now, but then I got to the last movement...

[@pianistofmusic290]

It’s probably not that hard if you use a metronome, and go from Larghetto to Vivace (going up 5 or 3 beats every time).

[@radudeATL]

@@pianistofmusic290 I could probably manage Larghetto to Allegretto LOL

[@pianistofmusic290]

@@radudeATL HaHa, but it actually works.

[@radudeATL]

@@pianistofmusic290 Ok you suckered me into it - 4 months later. I just ordered it 🤓

[@andreascire1390]

@@radudeATL how is it going? I was thinking to tackle this piece but I’m not sure if I’m actually ready

[@raitisvein]

I really like the first movement. You probably need 5 years of dedicated study to be even close to ready for this?

[@alteregocarson]

Old comment: this is on the Trinity FTCL syllabus, which purports to be the equivalent in performance standards to a masters degree in music. If you started learning piano today, it would probably take you at least 6 years to get close? But just know that there are no further “certifications” for music beyond the fellowship TCL level unless you count a Doctorate (in musical arts). What’s more important is to work your way up and that you actually enjoy it! Use this as a dream piece of you want, good luck

[@phoebedraper3046]

24:42 Sounds like random banging but at the same time still sounds great!

[@ruyfaco]

that is because that motivic material is from the 21:32 theme

[@derby2510]

Damn good.

[@matthewbrown3420]

I hear a lot of Shostakovich in the 1st movement and Prokofiev's Scythian Suite

[@KarenGiurdzhian]

5:27

[@AlexLANShelby]

Одно из лучших исполнений ! Лучше может быть только Рихтер.

[@user-dg9ku1zy4y]

Брависсимо, Луганский ! Это лучшее исполнение среди многих ...

[@andreysamsonov2252]

А мне Рихтер, наоборот, не понравился, Луганский сыграл её намного вкуснее, как по мне.

[@Ar1osssa]

Andrey Samsonov Рихтер исполняет слишком суховато и академично

[@piano_man7416]

Incredible! How does one play those quintuplets in the left hand? I'd struggle with that part alone

[@MrInterestingthings]

How does anyone ever do those crazy arpeggio in the left hand in 2nd movement ?

[@garrysmodsketches]

PRACTICE

[@GUILLOM]

Practice, a lot of practice.

[@joshuaslater7858]

it’s not that bad for me. Later on in the fourth movement is trickier for me.

[@AlexanderArsov]

Arresting brutality from both Prokofiev and Lugansky.

[@lawlietway3733]

OMG are those the LYRICS?! 🥵

[@slateflash]

The 2nd movement is the sound of someone pretending to be happy

[@KosTis]

The first movement sounds like jungle music in ×1.75

[@maria-uw8gp]

7:30

[@albertol.4048]

3:50 to 5:10 and 24:20 to 26:50 (also 20:08 to 22:10) are so hard

[@northernlightschord9502]

Lol have you seen the left hand at 9:15

[@GUILLOM]

@@northernlightschord9502 I'm still trying to figure out how tf is that playable

[@GUILLOM]

@@northernlightschord9502 also hi scriabindoge copycat

[@GUILLOM]

@4elovek hi friend 🥰

[@themobiusfunction]

5:00

[@Aminuteorso...]

Cool part

[@shawnmand5607]

Last movement is unrealistically virtuosic.

[@TyronTention]

The last movement of the eighth is also something to behold. It is so frustrating.

[@christianvennemann9008]

@@TyronTention *The last movement of No. 7 enters the chat.*

[@TyronTention]

@@christianvennemann9008 Honestly, having played the 7th, the last movement of the 7th is not quite as bad as the last movements of 6 and 8. You can actually get in a nice rhythm of playing most of the last movement for the 7th, until the last 2 pages.

[@christianvennemann9008]

@@TyronTention I had never thought of it that way. Sadly, I'm not THAT advanced as a pianist, so I didn't know. Thanks for your input!

[@andrescamiloarevalo7311]

0:02

[@vine2197]

Zi

[@arnekorpen3143]

21:32 именно так звучит когда выпригивает чёрт из табакерки

[@BADRUBULDURA]

😊😊😊

[@tarski7010]

9:48

[@joshcortezmusic8697]

I really wished we would have received more of Prokofiev’s genius which was sadly censored by the Russian government at the time.

[@cynic150]

This is so good that I hardly dare make one criticism: all Russians are apparently taught to always bring out the top note in the right hand, whether it is musical or not. This is one of the things which annoys me because the inner parts need also to be heard.

[@iliketurtles5180]

Do you have any specific examples where this is especially true?

[@siostra-bratem]

Język muzyczny jak noz z podwojnym ostrzem.

[@Xyriak]

11:56

[@Xyriak]

you're welcome

[@thomastereszkiewicz2241]

a bear to play like most of his piano music.

[@richardvolpe7664]

A masterful performance, without a doubt. But for my money, the last movement (marked 'vivace', not 'prestissimo') is simply too fast. Exciting, yes, but only in an "I-bet-he'll-go-off-the-rails" sort of way.

[@sadwinner]

If you play the beginning in 2x speed you'll find out that Prokofiev invented dubstep

[@swinger9374]

‘A Major’ 🤨

[@stravinskyfan]

his c majors are funnier tbh

[@MARTIN201199]

Which one is better, this Lugansky’s version or that of Pogorelich?

[@CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

Lugansky imo

[@TwistedCantQuickscope]

Gran Turismo 5

[@GUILLOM]

20:48 megalovania lol

[@pianistofmusic290]

They probably copied it.

[@GUILLOM]

@@pianistofmusic290 what do you mean

[@SeigneurReefShark]

@@GUILLOM *prokofiev copied megalovania*

[@SeigneurReefShark]

@Felis Skalkotris Sorabjitus hi friend ☺️

[@SeigneurReefShark]

@@MatthewScott88 hi friend ☺️

[@kch100]

This rendition is fantastic, exceeding Bronfman. Nothing captures the hell of Communism like Prokofiev.

[@TheUnseenRapper]

I can understand your concerns, but have you examined the conditions surrounding the failures and successes more closely? Nobody will deny the horrors, I surely won't, but I think it's important to capture what was tried, why it collapsed and ask if the best option available for an economy built to last and designed to decentralize is the work of Communist Democracy? I'm no troll, brother, but I am skeptical of the official story.

[@mondfleck3332]

Great upload, do give credit to olla vogla (kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3emlpiCjcmGh9U ) for the visuals and description though :)

[@GUILLOM]

?

[@luigivampa7724]

WTF Prokofiev, i almost gave a sh*t about one focking piano sonata XD Hear my advice, guys: don't listen this at night when ya all alone...

[@user-rh5kg3jj5h]

holyshit! the music sound terrible

[@mikedaniels3009]

What beats me is that really nice guys such as Nikolai turn into sadists to cater to masochists' sick needs for pain and torture, such as this here. Oh guys, this ain't "music", i imagine this to be heard in Hell, one reason for me to want to get to Heaven. ProCtofiev is said to have been in Stalin's good books, maybe on account of these acoustic instruments of torture to be used by sadistic KGB goons in their Ljubjanka torture chambers on defenseless victims who had their hands tied so they couldn't plug their poor ears. Just kidding and being sarky. What also beats me is what makes a guy who gave us Peter and The Wolf flip the switch and start indulging in devilish cacophony and even worse such as this here. The unbearable lightness of being in times steeped in sheer stalinist terror, darkness, hopeless atheist despair. What a contrast we have with God-fearing J. C. Bach, his luminous soul and glorious, joyful work steeped in baroque and his credo "Soli Deo Gloria". By way of anecdote, and a little digression intended, it is a paradox how another atheist, Rimsky-Korsakov was able to compose that luminous Russian Easter Ouverture and beautiful chorals. Just availing myself of freedom of speech and sharing JMHO.

[@GUILLOM]

I'm laughing so hard at this, it's the most stupid thing I've read in so much time LMFAO

[@mikedaniels3009]

@@GUILLOM stupiD is spelleT with D. Happy to make U laugh.

[@GUILLOM]

@@mikedaniels3009 Sorry for being human and making errors lol, I hope I won't go to heaven because I'm not perfect like you. And if this is played in hell, I really want to go there.

[@mikedaniels3009]

@@GUILLOM U will NOT hear devilish cacophony such as this in Heaven, of that be assured. With my best wishes.

[@GUILLOM]

@@mikedaniels3009 That's why I want to go to hell ;)

[@Whatismusic123]

What a god-awful composer.

[@turquisestones]

Seriously people? What's so great about it? Where is the beauty? Couldn't listen for more than 4 minutes. Just bunch of chaotic sounds.

[@Spark-pv9js]

15:17 and onwards is the most beautiful part in my opinion. Prokofiev has a fantastic sense for melody which is obvious in all of his pieces, but it can be very grotesque at times. War sonatas are probably the most harsh sounding of all Prokofiev's pieces, and I dont blame you for disliking this one

[@stefansavic3459]

Kme kme mommy, where is beauty? Some of the most exciting music for piano and generally, intense and spiritual aesthetic experience and you don't know to listen. Puf...

[@frenchpete88]

Never bored for one second with this music. Sooooo expressive, Prokofiev definitely was an absolute genius, like many of his Russian contemporaries. His war sonatas (6, 7 and 8) are all three absolute masterpieces just like his 2nd and 3rd piano concertos. Hard to resist standing up and clapping hands when they come to an end, even when watching KZbin !

[@turquisestones]

@@stefansavic3459 But where is the beauty in this particular peice? I find a lot of beauty in Mozart, Bethoveen and Tchaikovsky's pieces , but where is it here?

[@turquisestones]

@@frenchpete88 "His war sonatas (6, 7 and 8) are all three absolute masterpieces just like his 2nd and 3rd piano concertos" - Which one of these, according to your view, features beautiful melodies?

[@GingerSnape46]

I got bored with this seven minutes in. To me, it sounds like an angry kid playing the piano. He knows how to play it, but in between pretty pieces, he plays off key, bangs on the keys, etc.

[@GUILLOM]

How the fuck does 12:54 sound like an angry kid.

[@Luca-yg5qx]

@@GUILLOM There always are some idiots hating Prokofiev's music because they are only used to I-IV-V-VI chord combinations. You can find them in literally every comment section and you're wasting your time trying to teach them the beauty of Prokofiev's music.

[@mywwwymm6435]

That's okay! I had a similar experience with Rachmaninoff's etude op 39 no 7 where halfway in I turned it off thinking of it as nonsense, but a year later I gave it another listen and it is now my all time favourite. So sometimes what doesn't make sense just needs some time to stir. But then again there are many other pieces which I "didn't get" and still "don't get". But anyways, good you gave this a try! Happy listening! :)

[@ajvorob9117]

That's kinda the point. Prokofiev deliberately utilizes extreme dissonance to show the often ugly reality of war. It's not pretty and he's not trying to pretend that it is. It's ugly, conflicting, angry, anxious, and terrifying which is how humans feel when they're in the midst of a conflict.

[@EntelSidious_gamzeylmz]

@@ajvorob9117 compared to Shostakovich who has similar themes, I think prok has a mora absurd, parodical side to him, making him more fun to listen to for me

[@stravinskyfan]

25:50

[@calebhu6383]

25:58