Sergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953)
Alexander Nevsky
I. Russia under the Mongolian Yoke
2. Song about Alexander Nevsky
3. The crusaders at Pskov
4. "Arise, ye Russian people!"
5. The Battle on the Ice
6. The field of the dead
7. Alexander's entry into Pskov

As a young man, Prokofiev had left Russia to live and work in Paris, and made several visits to the United States. These visits included trips to Hollywood, where he learnt much about sound film production.

This stood him in good stead when, soon after his return to the Soviet Union in 1935, he was asked by Sergei Eisenstein whether he would be interested in writing music for Alexander Nevsky, a film he planned to direct. Eisenstein was already the most famous Soviet film director, having produced Battleship Potemkin and Ivan the Terrible, to international acclaim. "I was an old admirer of Eisenstein's films, and was delighted to accept his offer" Prokofiev said.

The subject of Alexander Nevsky belongs in the 13th century, and concerns the defeat of an invading force of Teutonic 'crusaders' by a Russian army under Alexander Nevsky, a prince of Novgorod - a city south of St.Petersburg. The invaders approached through what is now Estonia, and a battle was engaged on the frozen expanse of Lake Chudskoye, near the city of Pskov, on 5th April 1242. Nevsky and his army won the day and, as the crusaders retreated, it is reported that "the ice broke under the weight of their heavy armour and the invaders found their grave at the bottom of the lake".

The film was first shown on 1st December 1938, and within weeks Prokofiev had decided to make a cantata from the music for the film. Several sections had to be rewritten, and the whole was re-orchestrated to suit a symphonic performance. The cantata was first performed on 17th March 1939 in Moscow.

Both film and cantata were very popular, and the film played a real part in maintaining Soviet morale during the terrible siege of Leningrad by German forces during the war.

The orchestral prelude conjures up a bleak picture of a Russia devastated by years of Mongolian oppression: " - piles of human bones, swords and rusting lances. Fields overgrown with weeds and burned villages lying in ruins."

The following chorus speaks of the fortitude of the Russian people, and introduces the hero of the cantata as a valiant and inspiring military leader.

The heavy and sinister description of the Crusaders in Pskov leaves us in no doubt about their brutal barbarity. The central episode, a crusaders' Latin hymn, is made to sound peculiarly lifeless and ominous.

By contrast, the rousing chorus "A song about Alexander Nevsky" is positive and fresh. The central section "In our great Russia, our native Russia, no enemy shall come" is a clear and flowing melody.

The climax of the cantata is the great Battle on the Ice. A wintry sun rises through the freezing fog, and the Crusaders' horses soon appear at an accelerating gallop. Their aggressive chorale builds up strongly and is soon answered by the bold Russian trumpets. Full battle ensues: the sinister crusaders' music alternates with the brighter music for the Russian forces until, with a crash, the ice breaks and the knights go to the bottom. In the silence that follows the violins sing the tune of "In our great Russia ..", accompanied only by the ripples on the water.

After the noise of the conflict we are reminded of the human cost, in a beautiful lament sung by the mezzo-soprano soloist. A Russian girl searches for the body of her lover, sorrowful, yet swearing eternal fidelity to a valiant warrior.

The finale is a picture of popular rejoicing, combining many of the earlier themes in jubilant celebration.