A pedagogical exploration of selected movements form Prokofiev's Visions fugitives, op. 22

Abstract

Russian composer and pianist Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev made substantial contributions to the piano literature through his ability to infuse traditional genres and forms with innovation in multiple musical elements. In the last two years of his Russian period, he composed the Visions Fugitives, Op. 22, a collection of twenty short character movements for late-intermediate to early-advanced level students. This study focuses on movements one through ten, exploring how the composer approaches character, harmony, melody, rhythm, texture, and form. This paper also discusses some of the performance difficulties inherent within each of these pieces, and offers suggestions for teachers on how to effectively approach them.