Sergei Prokofiev - Semyon Kotko album review: an appreciation of an interesting score

The operas of Sergei Prokofiev have been positioned on the edge of the general repertoire, but recently they seem to have gained more widespread acceptance.

Semyon Kotko, the tale of a young soldier returning from the first World War to the newly founded USSR, was Prokofiev's attempt to compose a work acceptable to the authorities following his return to Russia in 1936.

He did not succeed: the work was condemned both for its musical style and dramatic content. It was withdrawn after its initial run in 1940 and not staged again until 1960. This is a pity, as it contains some fine music.

This reissue of a 1960s recording from the Melodiya label (with plot synopsis but no libretto) facilitates an appreciation of what remains an interesting score.