An Octatonic History of Prokofiev’s Compositional Oeuvre

Abstract

The article examines Prokofiev’s compositional oeuvre through the lens of the Rimsky-Korsakov scale (octatonic collection) and its prominence in selected works from 1915 through 1941. Although he never took a composition lesson with Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev’s careful use of the collection shows his intimate knowledge of the scale. The article seeks to add a understanding of the development of the Rimsky-Korsakov scale within Russian theoretical thought. A survey of short octatonic sections culminates in the analysis of Sonata no. 6, which not only uses the same octatonic collection to characterize the themes of first and last movements, but also features a scalar version of the octatonic collection at the very climax of the last movement. This event further enhances the importance of the scale and takes on a dramatic role from its initial association with magical characters in Rimsky-Korsakov’s music to depicting the despicable woes of the Great Patriotic War in Prokofiev’s music.