In line with its objectives, namely to increase public understanding of Prokofiev's work and significance, the Serge Prokofiev Association is to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Prokofiev's death in 2003 with the unique and challenging project of a UK-based performance of his entire output within 12 months. The Association will of course encourage celebrations abroad and include them in the Diary 2003, a brochure in which major events in the UK and abroad will be listed.
   The year is planned to commence with a Prokofiev festival and symposium in Manchester, UK. The wide-ranging symposium will be devoted to Prokofiev's music, life and ideas, and also to the artistic developments in dance, film, cinema, and theatre, areas in which the composer was so enthusiastically involved.
   This page will be updated on a regular basis as information starts coming in.
   Should any members of the Association or Web visitors have specific information on planned Prokofiev-related events for 2003, please contact Noëlle Mann.
 

Prokofiev 2003 - the official press launch

On 26 November, a special reception was held by the Serge Prokofiev Association at London's Barbican Centre to officially announce the plans for the 2003 celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Prokofiev's death. This followed a memorable concert by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paavo Berglund, who gave a polished performance of Prokofiev's difficult and rarely heard Second Symphony; the Second Violin Concerto with the excellent and exuberant young violinist Nikolaj Znaider - a very tall presence wearing a dark suit with a striking red lining which revealed itself whenever he reached into his pocket for a handkerchief! And finally, a performance of Sibelius's Seventh Symphony which fully demonstrated why Berglund is considered one of the great Sibelians of our age.  More Details
 

Prokofiev 2003 Calendar on the Web

Noëlle Mann and Sir Edward Downes launched Prokofiev 2003 at a Reception at the Barbican, London, on 26 November following a concert by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. At this occasion the Prokofiev 2003 Calendar - produced jointly by The Serge Prokofiev Association and Boosey & Hawkes - was available for the first time.
   Boosey & Hawkes now have a section of their website devoted to Prokofiev 2003, including details of all the performances (of which they have received notification) worldwide of Prokofiev performances in 2003. This is constantly being revised with performances being added daily. Full details and performance calendar here.
 

LAUNCH OF PROKOFIEV 2003

On 26 November 2002 The Serge Prokofiev Association will officially launch Prokofiev 2003 with a small reception at the Barbican Hall, London, after a concert with the BBC SymphonyOrchestra. The gathering will be in the Foyer of the Barbican (Artspace C), when guests will be able to meet the Association's Board and various artists and personalities. Sir Edward Downes and Noëlle Mann will introduce forthcoming events and the Prokofiev 2003 Calendar, prepared by Boosey & Hawkes and the Association, will be distributed fresh from the press.
     The evening concert is conducted by Paavo Berglund (programme: Prokofiev Symphony No.2; Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 (Nikolaj Znaider, violin); Sibelius Symphony No.7). The Association is grateful to the BBC Symphony Orchestra in allowing it to use this concert as the launch-pad.
     For tickets to the concert, please apply to the Barbican Box Office (tel: 020 7638 8891) and if you would like to attend the Reception please apply via the Contact Information below. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis.

MANCHESTER PROKOFIEV 2003 FESTIVAL and SYMPOSIUM

The brochure for the Manchester Prokofiev 2003 Festival and Symposium is now available. Members of The Association will receive a copy with their November issue of Three Oranges.
If you are a non-member and would like a copy please apply via the Contact Information below. The detailed Festival programme is available on this website (or write for a copy).
     The concerts are as outlined in Prokofiev 2003 Newsletter issue 1, although, regrettably the recital by Mikhail Pletnev will not take place. Of particular importance are the three BBC Philharmonic concerts, which open and close the Festival. Sir Edward Downes, the Association's President, will conduct the opening concert of the Symposium weekend at the Bridgewater Hall and the closing one at the Royal Northern College of Music.
     The Royal Northern College of Music is hosting the Symposium weekend, which opens with the Keynote Address by Sir Peter Ustinov. The weekend will be packed with a broad range of events: the first international Conference dedicated to Prokofiev and his times, (34 academic papers from the UK, Russia, France, Germany and the USA), 6 public events and 4 concerts. Most important amongst these is "The Unheard Prokofiev", the result of work conducted by the Serge Prokofiev Archive, which has made new works available for performance. Further to the first concert performance of the reconstructed of Trapèze (as outlined in Prokofiev 2003 Newsletter issue 1), performers from the RNCM will give World Premieres of the complete Marches Op.69 and of the National Anthem for Military Band, and the second performance of Trapèze. As with the première of Trapèze, Noëlle Mann will introduce this concert at the RNCM on Saturday 8 February. This will be followed by the Symposium Dinner, which will include a Public Address by Sir Edward Downes.
     The Festival will close with an Open Discussion on Monday 10 February, 3pm. "Reflections and Projections" will be chaired by Noëlle Mann, Prokofiev 2003 Director and the organiser of the Manchester Festival, with the participation of eminent specialists and artists including Sir Edward Downes, scholar and critic David Fanning, RNCM Principal Edward Gregson, writer Michael Kennedy, leading Soviet music specialist Gerard McBurney, biographers David Nice and Harlow Robinson and broadcaster Lynne Walker.

The Serge Prokofiev Association is celebrating the anniversary day of Prokofiev's death
on 5 March at St John's, Smith Square, London.

5 MARCH 2003 at 7:30pm

SERGE PROKOFIEV
23 April 1891-5 March 1953

Anniversary Gala Concert
with
Dmitri Alexeev (piano)
Alexander Ivashkin (cello)
Mikhaïl Rudy (piano)
Dmitry Sitkovetsky (violin)

Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119
A selection from Visions Fugitives Op.22 and Romeo & Juliet Op.75
Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor Op.8
Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82

Tickets will be available in the New Year and we will report on this further.

Contact Information

Jacky Guter

or write to:

Noëlle Mann
The Serge Prokofiev Archive
Goldsmiths College
Information Services
London, SE14 6NW

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