Comments on: War and Peace—The First Stage Rehearsals http://blog.metoperafamily.org/metopera/2007/11/30/war-and-peace%e2%80%94the-first-stage-rehearsals/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:45:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Anait http://blog.metoperafamily.org/metopera/2007/11/30/war-and-peace%e2%80%94the-first-stage-rehearsals/#comment-1021 Anait Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:45:51 +0000 http://blog.metoperafamily.org/metopera/2007/11/30/war-and-peace%e2%80%94the-first-stage-rehearsals/#comment-1021 V. A. Vlasov, the director of Moscow Philharmonic, who met Sergei Prokofiev at Podlipka sanatorium in April of 1945, recalled that during this difficult time in the composer's life, the opera "War and Peace" was his main concern. One has to remember that earier that year, after the first public performance of his Symphony no. 5 on January 13, Prokofiev suffered a massive stroke. The recovery was slow and all work had to srop at least for several months. However, between March and June (the first concert performance of the opera took place on June 7, 1945) Prokofiev managed to work on the score and send the new additions to conductor Samosud directly from Podlipka, against the strict orders of his doctors. Vlasov recalls Prokofiev's questions regarding the rehearsals: "And what about Natasha and Andrey Bolkonsky? Are they good? It's very important that the public should recognize the familiar traits of Tolstoy's characters." The original cast included A. S. Pirogov (Kutuzov), A. A. Ivanov (Andrey Bolkonsky), M. A. Nadion (Natasha), and the performance was a huge success, so much so that there were repeat performances on June 9 and 11. And what about today's performance at the Met? Well, I heard it through CBC's Saturday Afternoon At The Opera that brings live performances from all over the world. It is Live Radio, which means that there were no Imperial balls of Czarist Russia, no depictions of land battles, no marching soldiers, or a dead, frozen horse. But the music was beautiful. Thanks to everyone that made this performance available on the Radio. Anait Keuchguerian Montreal, Quebec V. A. Vlasov, the director of Moscow Philharmonic, who met Sergei Prokofiev at Podlipka sanatorium in April of 1945, recalled that during this difficult time in the composer’s life, the opera “War and Peace” was his main concern. One has to remember that earier that year, after the first public performance of his Symphony no. 5 on January 13, Prokofiev suffered a massive stroke. The recovery was slow and all work had to srop at least for several months. However, between March and June (the first concert performance of the opera took place on June 7, 1945) Prokofiev managed to work on the score and send the new additions to conductor Samosud directly from Podlipka, against the strict orders of his doctors.
Vlasov recalls Prokofiev’s questions regarding the rehearsals: “And what about Natasha and Andrey Bolkonsky? Are they good? It’s very important that the public should recognize the familiar traits of Tolstoy’s characters.” The original cast included A. S. Pirogov (Kutuzov), A. A. Ivanov (Andrey Bolkonsky), M. A. Nadion (Natasha), and the performance was a huge success, so much so that there were repeat performances on June 9 and 11.
And what about today’s performance at the Met? Well, I heard it through CBC’s Saturday Afternoon At The Opera that brings live performances from all over the world. It is Live Radio, which means that there were no Imperial balls of Czarist Russia, no depictions of land battles, no marching soldiers, or a dead, frozen horse. But the music was beautiful.

Thanks to everyone that made this performance available on the Radio.

Anait Keuchguerian
Montreal, Quebec

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