Lisa Oshima / Stefan Stroissnig PROKOFIEV Violin Sonata - Five Melodies - Five Pieces fron Cinderella - Suite from Romeo and Juliet

“This is a very special sonata.”

With a serious expression my professor, Dr. Andrievsky, spoke these words to me. From his voice I sensed a feeling of sorrow. It happened when I first began studying Prokofiev’s Sonata No.1, I thought I had understood Russia under Stalin from various written sources and films but then every time I had a lesson, I was crushed by the people’s great sadness, which welled up from the sonata. Every corner of the music revealed suffering or screaming or despair or deception. It took Prokofiev eight years to complete the sonata, which expresses not only his own feelings but those of the people who lived through that era.

By contrast Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet overflow with liveliness and joie de vivre. Every time I play them in the orchestra pit, my heart dances to the elegant sounds and expression of love.

These works by Prokofiev never fail to grab my heart.

I hope you will enjoy the multifaceted versatility of Prokofiev. Finally I would like to thank all those who helped make this recording happen. (Lisa Oshima)