Pushkin Waltzes (Prokofiev)
# Pushkin Waltzes (Prokofiev)

Sergei Prokofiev wrote the two Pushkin Waltzes (Op. 120) in 1949.

## Background

The waltzes were written to a commission from the Moscow Radio Committee, for 1949 was the 150th anniversary of Pushkin's birth.

## Movements

The two waltzes (lasting around 8 minutes) are titled:

* Allegro espressivo (F major)
* Allegro meditativo (C-sharp minor)

## Instrumentation

The work is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, snare drum, wood blocks, cymbals, tambourine, triangle, and strings.

## Premiere

01-Jan-1952, Moscow (radio performance), conducted by Samuel Samosud.

## Recordings

| Orchestra | Conductor | Record Company | Year of Recording | Format |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine | Theodore Kuchar | Naxos Records | 1995 | CD |
| Royal Scottish National Orchestra | Neeme Järvi | Chandos Records | 1985 | CD |
| Seattle Symphony Orchestra | Gerard Schwarz | Delos | ? | CD |
| USSR Radio/TV Large Symphony Orchestra | Fuat Mansurov | Consonance | 1973 | CD |
| USSR Radio Symphony Orchestra | Samuil Samosud | Melodiya | ca. 1958 | LP |
