“Troika” from Lt. Kijé Suite
Sergei Prokofiev Children’s Theatre. You may have seen Born: April 23, 1891 it performed in school, or on the concert Died: March 5, 1953 stage. Prokofiev also wrote the ballet music for Romeo and Juliet. Russian composer and pianist In 1933, Prokofiev was asked to write Sergei Prokofiev was born in 1891 a film score for the movieLieutenant in Sontsovka, a small village in the Kijé. This movie appealed to the Ukraine. Early on it was clear that composer’s sense of humor. The story is he had musical talent. His mother, about an officer who never existed but who was a very good pianist, who, because of a clerical error, appears encouraged him and taught him on a list of soldiers. When the eccentric to play the piano. Sergei began Tsar Paul I demands to meet the man, composing at the age of five. When the military invent an officer instead of he got a bit older, he and his mother owning up to their mistake. One thing moved to St. Petersburg so he could leads to another and a whole life is study music. created for the non-existent Lt. Kijé, all on paper. After Prokofiev graduated from school, he traveled around Europe “Troika” is a Russian word that means to learn more about music. World “sleigh.” In this section of the Lt. War I and the Russian Revolution Kijé Suite, the fictional officer takes a made living and working in Russia ride through the snowy country. You very difficult, so Prokofiev left the can follow him on his trip by using country in 1918. Paris eventually the listening map below. The French became his home, but he also spent horn will help to guide you along the time in the United States and the way. Watch out, because every once Bavarian Alps. The whole time he in a while you may run into a friendly was away from Russia, Prokofiev snowman or two. longed for his homeland. In 1936, he made the unusual decision to move back to the Soviet Union.
Prokofiev was a master at using music to tell a story. Pieces that do this are called program music. One of his most famous musical stories is Peter and the Wolf, which was written for Russia’s Central
Sergei Prokofiev
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4 Answer the questions below after listening to “Troika.” 5 6
1. The introduction is 7 A. strong B. weak 8 9
2. After the introduction, the music changes to
A. an uneven, galloping rhythm 10 B. an even, trotting rhythm 3. The jingle bell sound is a Across A. sleighbell 2. After the first melody you hear the ____ B. cymbal horn. 4. Prokofiev was born in ______. 4. This music is a RONDO because 5. ______music tells a story. A. one theme alternates with others 8. Prokofiev played the ______. B. only two themes are heard 10. Prokofiev’s first name was ______.
5 The music ends Down A. with a new theme 1. ______is Russian for sleighride. B. as it began 3. Prokofiev had a great sense of ______. 6. A film score is music for a ______. 7. Prokofiev lived in the _____States for a while. 9. Lieutenant ______was a fictional army Here’s your chance to create your own piece officer. of art for a piece from “Troika.” Draw or write your own story about this month’s musical selection. Use a blank 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Share it with Classics for Kids. What would you get if Classics for Kids you crossed Betty Crocker c/o WGUC with Old Man Winter? 1223 Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45214 A baker who frosts Or E-mail us at [email protected] windows