1 1934 film
1.1 inception
1.2 plot
1.3 music
1.4 production , reception history
1934 film
inception
lieutenant kijé 1 of earliest sound films made in soviet union. origin of story 1927 screenplay critic , novelist yury tynyanov, written soviet film director sergei yutkevich. project failed, , tinyanov recast script novella published in january 1928. in 1930s, when belgoskino studios announced interest in making film, tynyanov produced second script. story has been described prokofiev s biographer harlow robinson satire on stupidity of royalty , particularly russian terror of displeasing 1 s superior . own account prokofiev @ time restive, , afraid of falling academism ; later critic thought kijé story provided ideal material so-often caustic , witty composer .
plot
tsar paul i
in russian imperial palace, while tsar paul sleeps, dalliance between 2 courtiers ends shriek wakens tsar. enraged, demands officials produce culprit or face banishment life. meanwhile, clerk s slip of pen while compiling military duty roster results in inclusion in list of fictitious officer, lieutenant kijé . when tsar inspects list intrigued name, , asks officer presented him. court officials terrified of tsar admit mistake has been made, , in dilemma until occurs them blame kijé nocturnal disturbance. inform tsar, duly orders imaginary lieutenant flogged , sent siberia.
when real culprit confesses, kijé pardoned tsar , reinstated in imperial court rank of colonel. courtiers, in fear of tsar, forced extend creation s phantom career; thus, supposedly marries princess gagarina, after tsar grants him lands , money , promotes him general , commander of army. when paul demands kijé s immediate presence, cornered officials announce general kijé has, unfortunately, died. lavish funeral held, full military honours. parsimonious tsar demands return of kijé s fortune, told courtiers kijé has spent money on high living—in fact, have stolen it. tsar denounces kijé thief, , posthumously demotes him general private.
music
despite lack of experience in composing film music, prokofiev began kijé score confidently, later writing: somehow had no doubts whatever musical language film . told producers, important me era, internal meaning of each event, personality of each hero , , warned them not expect mere musical illustrations . attended rehearsals , made detailed notes of action , acting. period setting of film appealed prokofiev; robinson comments kijé score 1 of several works, including classical symphony, love of 3 oranges, cinderella, , war , peace, show composer s fondness eighteenth century . language chose combined elements of humour , romance underlying melancholy—he interpreted story more tragic comic. prokofiev had heard ravel s boléro in paris, , had been impressed french composer s use of saxophone, instrument used in orchestral compositions outside france suited prokofiev s intentions perfectly. composer gerard mcburney has pointed out haunting sounds of tenor saxophone punctuate kijé music.
the critic ernest chapman refers prokofiev s unfailingly witty , melodious score . comprises 15 minutes of music, written series of 16 short fragments or leitmotifs repeated @ appropriate times during film s duration, highlight specific moments in drama. approach departure in film music established form of broad symphonic movements, , described prokofiev s biographer daniel jaffé ahead of time ... 1 of celebrated [film scores] of era .
production , reception history
the film, directed alexander feinzimmer, made @ belgoskino studios music recorded under direction of isaak dunayevsky. moscow premiere held on 7 march 1934, after film released in london tsar wants sleep , in paris le lieutenant nantes. prokofiev did not rate film highly, although pleased music. after new york release in december 1934, critic new york times described film calculated entertain lovers of detail , genuine atmosphere in semi-historical films. introduction of little slapstick comedy seems quite in keeping russian tradition. prokofiev s contribution film not acknowledged in review.
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