Scythian Suite

E452530

Scythian Suite is a vivid, rhythmically intense orchestral work by Sergei Prokofiev, inspired by ancient Scythian legends and noted for its bold harmonies and powerful orchestration.

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf concert work
orchestral suite
approximateCompositionPeriod 1914
1915
approximatePremiereYear 1916
basedOn ancient Scythian legends
catalogueNumber Op. 20
composer Sergei Prokofiev NERFINISHED
countryOfOrigin Russia
derivedFrom abandoned ballet score Ala and Lolli
genre 20th-century classical music
classical music
historicalContext pre-Revolutionary Russian modernism
inspiredBy Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring NERFINISHED
inTheRepertoireOf major symphony orchestras
movement Night NERFINISHED
The Adoration of Veles and Ala NERFINISHED
The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits of Darkness NERFINISHED
The Glorious Departure of Lolli and the Sun’s Procession NERFINISHED
musicalCharacteristic bold harmonies
dissonant harmony
primitive rhythmic drive
rhythmic intensity
vivid orchestral color
notableFeature evocation of pagan ritual
extreme dynamics
virtuosic orchestral writing
notedFor orchestral color and impact
powerful orchestration
numberOfMovements 4
orchestrationFeature large orchestra
powerful brass writing
prominent percussion
originalLanguage Russian
premiereConductor Serge Koussevitzky NERFINISHED
premiereCountry Russia NERFINISHED
premiereLocation Petrograd NERFINISHED
premierePerformer Koussevitzky’s orchestra NERFINISHED
relatedWork ballet Ala and Lolli NERFINISHED
style modernist
primitivist
stylePeriod early 20th century
subjectMatter mythic battles
pagan deities
sun worship
title Scythian Suite NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Sergei Prokofiev notableWork Scythian Suite