prokofiev sonata

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 11:42 pm

I recently (recently being last week) got a copy of the Prokofiev flute sonata (D major, Op. 94) and I just found out that I will be playing the first movement of it at a masterclass I am attending this Saturday.

I don't need to have it completely perfect, but I'd like to sound like I at least know what I'm doing. Overall I'm doing alright with it, but there's a part about midway through the first movement where there are sixteenth note runs (well actually, it's just one run repeated several times) starting on D2 and ending on D4 where I pretty much fall on my face. Any advice on how to practice this so I can have it down in 6 days?

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:34 am

Hi Poway...

For me, the problem in that run was getting from the Gb3 to the Bb3.

So, I play the Gb3 as an harmonic, using B natural (2nd octave) fingering. It worked wonderfully!

Also, in the first occurrence of that run, my version (pub. by International Music Company) has it starting on a Gb (so that there are 2 Gb's in a row) but it's a misprint - it should be a D2 like all of the other occurrences.

Are you having trouble getting the D4 out, or is that okay?

~ Monika

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:47 pm

I agree, the Gb to Bb was always the hardest part for me. Just practice it slowly and work out the connections between each note. I don't use the harmonic fingering here, but it's good to try expirment with various fingerings in tricky situations--use whatever you like best. I can't be sure without a flute, but I think I start each run with the Bb thumb and move it off before the Gb. Also note the first Gb on the first run should be a D like the others on the rampal edition, as Monika already mentioned.

Don't be worried about having it perfect for Saturday. You only had a week to work on it, so they'll understand if certain parts of it aren't mastered. I'm sure you'll play the prokofiev sonata many times after this master class, so practice with the goal of getting everything worked out over time, so you can play the piece fantastically a year from now. It's a hard but fun piece!

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:48 am

Hmmm...no, the G3 to the Bb3 is fine for me, probably because I'm using just thumb and 4 (ie: I'm taking off the trill key) and it still comes out fine. My D4 comes out fine but for some reason I can't get the pattern into my fingers and I play either a C#4 or some combination of the two notes.
That's interesting about the Gb-- I noticed it was different but didn't really think anything of it. I'll be sure to listen to the recording more closely...
I've also been using the Bb thumb key on part of the run and taking it off for the Gb3--it's a bit clumsy that way. But I will try to experiment with it and see if I can come up with anything better.
Thank you both for your help!

AmastaJ943 · Post by **AmastaJ943** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:40 pm

I coulnd't agree more with everyone else. I've also had the same problems as you have and I bet you're gonna do great. My suggestion is to play with and from your gut, that way you will have a powerful and strong attack on each note so that they are all able to speak without being muffled or mushed together. Using a metronome is a must in this piece

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:55 pm

Poway, after the masterclass, can you post your notes and tips you get about the Prokofiev on here? I'm working the piece up for a recital and would love to hear what the clinician has to say (who is doing the masterclass, by the way?)

Hope that run is starting to work out for ya - it's a nasty one, no matter what you do. You'll get it!

AmastaJ943 · Post by **AmastaJ943** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:37 pm

I agree. I'm off to a master class myself in England with Susan Milan and I'm playing the exact same piece, only I'm playing both the 1st and second mvts. of it, along with the Bach Sonata No. 1

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:01 pm

Well..as it would turn out...a few days before the class I was called and informed that another girl was playing the Prok. sonata so I had to pick another piece.

...I pretty much threw together the 1st and 3rd movements of Bach's Partita and played that...though everything turned out okay because I still got to hear the comments about the Prokofiev sonata without feeling uncomfortable about playing it (granted, I wasn't exactly ready for the Partita considering I was only given about 3 days notice...)