Bartok vs Prokofiev

[David Coscina 3]

Since my last poll was rather lopsided, I figured I would do one where the outcome isn't so clear. I love both composers' music although I would give Prokofiev the edge since pieces like Alexander Nevsky, his Third Symphony, Fourth Symphony, Fifth Symphony, Prodigal Son, Piano Concerto #2, Ivan the Terrible, Romeo and Juliet and Lt. Kije are absolutely faves of mine.

For Bartok, I love his Concerto for Orchestra, Bluebeard's Castle, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste, The Wooden Prince, Miraculous Mandarin, Dance Suite, and his Piano concertos.

I think Prokofiev has a slightly greater range of style- he can do romantic, lyricism, ballsy action scoring, pretty much everything. Bartok has some lyrical moments but I find is very cerebral. I do enjoy both though.

[Romão 1,931]

Prokofiev is my absolute favorite classic composer, and in all composers he is only second to Williams in my apreciation for his work. I adore Alexander Nevsky, his 6th symphony (my favorite), the piano concertos, his ballets (Stone Flower is amazing), the October Cantata is mindblowing and I still think Ivan the Terrible is one of top 5 film scores ever composed.

As for Bartok, I know his major works (most of the ones you mentioned), but I have a similar view on his work as I have on Kubrick's (which, concidentally, has used Bartok music in his movies): I respect him immensely and I have been able to draw tremendous joy from his work, but most of it, I feel sometimes, goes over my head, it's too advanced for me. It's not a fault in anyway of the composer, merely my lack of sensitivy, experience and musical chops. But Bartok is a composer which I know will grow greatly in my apreciation for him in the coming years, as my musical sensitivity and taste will, hopefully, mature and advance.

So I vote Prokofiev. He would only lose to Williams in a poll of this sort.

[Datameister 1,394]

I really am not very familiar with either composer's work, but I'd imagine I'd prefer Profokiev.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

Prokofiev is fantastic, but Bartok gets my vote with "Concerto For Orchestra" alone. I think it's "bella", Geddit?

Howazabout a Vaughan Williams/Walton showdown?

[Bowie 45]

Concerto For Orchestra.

[TownerFan 4,548]

I personally lean more toward Prokofiev, but I love Bartòk very much as well.

Every JWFan should be able to get a lot of listening pleasure from both composers' output.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

Where's Penderecki?

Prokofiev is my absolute favorite classic composer,

Yes.

[Sergeant 1,093]

Best orchestrator ever and the greatest influence for JW's (best) music.

Sergei.

[David Coscina 3]

Best orchestrator ever and the greatest influence for JW's (best) music.

Sergei.

What's interesting is that both Prokofiev and Williams admit to using the piano too much in their compositional/orchestration process. Prokofiev's Symphony #1 was the only instance where he divorced himself from writing at the piano. Regardless, both have tremendous sense's of orchestral coloration.

I have been listening to a lot of Bartok today and his Piano Concertos are really interesting- percussive rather than fluid and lyrical. Prokofiev's Piano Concerto #2 is my all time fave concerto for that instrument. The final mvmt is scary good and Vladmir Feltsman's reading with Tilson Thomas as conductor is mezmerising.

Dave

[MSM 85]

Nice one, and difficult But I choose Prokofiev mainly because of the quick modulations and the wild melodies.

[Joe Brausam 203]

I love both of them, though my vote went to Bartok. Bluebeard wins me over every time!

As for best orchestrator...I lean more towards giving Berlioz that title..

[Romão 1,931]

Best orchestrator ever and the greatest influence for JW's (best) music.

Sergei.

What's interesting is that both Prokofiev and Williams admit to using the piano too much in their compositional/orchestration process. Prokofiev's Symphony #1 was the only instance where he divorced himself from writing at the piano. Regardless, both have tremendous sense's of orchestral coloration.

I have been listening to a lot of Bartok today and his Piano Concertos are really interesting- percussive rather than fluid and lyrical. Prokofiev's Piano Concerto #2 is my all time fave concerto for that instrument. The final mvmt is scary good and Vladmir Feltsman's reading with Tilson Thomas as conductor is mezmerising.

Dave

I agree with you 100% about the Piano Concero #2, although I only own Ashkenazy's recording

[MSM 85]

I love both of them, though my vote went to Bartok. Bluebeard wins me over every time!

As for best orchestrator...I lean more towards giving Berlioz that title..

Your first remark I can appreciate . Your second one should be discussed in a special thread...I am aware of Berlioz' reputation and his place in music history regarding orchstration, but to be honest I have never been convinced by his orchestrations.

[David Coscina 3]

I love both of them, though my vote went to Bartok. Bluebeard wins me over every time!

As for best orchestrator...I lean more towards giving Berlioz that title..

Your first remark I can appreciate . Your second one should be discussed in a special thread...I am aware of Berlioz' reputation and his place in music history regarding orchstration, but to be honest I have never been convinced by his orchestrations.

I would go with Ravel or Mahler actually

[Romão 1,931]

Concerning orchestration skills, what about Stravinsky?

[MSM 85]

Concerning orchestration skills, what about Stravinsky?

Good, but less innovative than Prokofiev, I'd say.

I love both of them, though my vote went to Bartok. Bluebeard wins me over every time!

As for best orchestrator...I lean more towards giving Berlioz that title..

Your first remark I can appreciate . Your second one should be discussed in a special thread...I am aware of Berlioz' reputation and his place in music history regarding orchstration, but to be honest I have never been convinced by his orchestrations.

I would go with Ravel or Mahler actually

Agreed