, Sergei Prokofiev , Ernest Ansermet L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande - Cinderella Suites

Narrow Band Repress.
labelography : ED4.
In his later works, from Romeo and Juliet onwards, Prokofiev tumed more and more to the expression of the romantic, the lyrical, and what subject could be more suitable than the well known fairy story of Cinderella? It contains every possibility, romance, magic, the eventual victory of beauty over ugliness, and of course humour in the scenes with the ugly sisters. Into this ballet Prokofiev put all the charm and lyricism that is demanded by the story, and added all his usual remarkable originality in melodic invention and or chestration. The composer was already at work on the score at the outbreak of the second world war but did not complete the ballet until 1943. The first performance took place in Moscow on the 21st. December 1945, given by the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet. One of the features of the work is the deftness with which Prokofiev handles the old dance forms. There are waltzes reminiscent of the best of Tchaikovsky, yet of great origin ality, bourrées, mazurkas, gallops. Out of the complete ballet the composer made three suites, reworking and compressing many of the ideas and themes and dances to form short movements which give a general view of the atmosphere of the ballet, and which present most of the thematic material. The Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by Emest Ansermet play here all the pieces from the first suite and four from the second placed as far as possible in the order in which the incidents to which they refer occur in the complete ballet.

SIDE I

1. Introduction. This piece is the opening of the ballet, foreshadowing the entire action. The music first portrays Cinderella's sorrow and loneliness, changing to the theme depicting her dreams of happiness and their fulfilment. Both these themes recur on several occasions in the ballet. 2. Pas de Chat. The scene is the richly furnished house where Cinderella lives. She is busy doing the menial jobs of the house, and is dressed in rags.

3. Quarrel. The Ugly Sisters, doing their embroidery, quarrel over a shawl, until the Stepmother cuts the shawl in two and they dance their satisfaction. 4. Cinderella's Dream, Cinderella is alone by the fireside and dreams of the days past when her mother was alive and she was happy.

5. Fairy Godmother. The music associated with the appearance of Fairy Godmother is presented as she

appears with Winter.

6. Mazurka. Taken from the second act when the ball is already in full swing. All the courtiers of the Prince

are to be seen dancing, and among them the Ugly Sisters. SIDE 2 1. Cinderella leaves for the Ball. Taken from the end of the first act. Cinderella has been promised by the

Fairy Godmother that she will go to the ball, and here, after the Ugly Sisters have left, adorned in all her splendour and in great excitement, she leaves for the ball.

2. Cinderella arrives at the Castle. Act two. The dancers have finished the Mazurka, the Prince has entered and is on his throne, Cinderella makes her entry, delighting the Prince.

3. Bourrée. One of the dances of the courtiers.

4. Galop. This movement is actually taken from the third act where the Prince, having only Cinderella's

slipper to guide him, frantically tries to find her. 5. Cinderella's Waltz......Midnight. Cinderella dances with the Prince who is enraptured. Suddenly mid night sounds, and she knows she must leave the ball. She rushes out. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most extraordinary moments in the whole ballet.

1962, The Theore Browd Company Limited, London

Notes by MIKE BREMNER