Prokofiev vs. Shostakovich

[karlhenning]

Well done, vandermolen!

[O Delvig]

String Quartets: Shostakovich, obviously!
Piano Sonatas: Prokofiev, obviously!
Concertos: draw. love Prokofiev's Piano Concertos, but Shostakovich wrote those great Cello Concertos.
Symphonies: don't really listen to either's, though I enjoy Prokofiev's 2nd and Shost's 14th (I know, I'm different....)
Chamber music for strings/piano: draw. Prokofiev's Violin Sonata Op 80 is the best of the bunch and one of my favorite works, but Shostakovich wrote that great second Piano Trio and a fascinating Viola Sonata.

Final Tally: Draw!

[The new erato]

String Quartets: Shostakovich, obviously!
Piano Sonatas: Prokofiev, obviously!
Concertos: draw. love Prokofiev's Piano Concertos, but Shostakovich wrote those great Cello Concertos.
Symphonies: don't really listen to either's, though I enjoy Prokofiev's 2nd and Shost's 14th (I know, I'm different....)
Chamber music for strings/piano: draw. Prokofiev's Violin Sonata Op 80 is the best of the bunch and one of my favorite works, but Shostakovich wrote that great second Piano Trio and a fascinating Viola Sonata.

Final Tally: Draw!

Operas?

And Shsotakovich's op 87 goes a long way in nullifying Prokofievs superiority in the sonata area. And you forgot the great Piano Quintet. But Prokofiev is far superior in the ballet area. Film music; who knows.

Overall; I think your conclusion stands.

[Danny]

Yes, a draw.

I wonder what the next poll could be........................

Maybe a Rachmaninov vs. Glazunov. 

[greg]

Yes, a draw.

I wonder what the next poll could be........................

Maybe a Rachmaninov vs. Glazunov. 

i think we all know who'd win that one

[Bogey]

Yes, a draw.

I wonder what the next poll could be........................

Maybe a Rachmaninov vs. Glazunov. 

What?!  With your avatar you know better than that Danny.  At the very least have a split decision with a $84 million dollar rematch scheduled for 6 months later. 

[Don]

Yes, a draw.

Not according to the poll results.

My own take is:

Solo - Shosty
Chamber - Shosty
Orchestral - Shosty
Voice - Take your pick.

[O Delvig]

Operas?

And Shsotakovich's op 87 goes a long way in nullifying Prokofievs superiority in the sonata area. And you forgot the great Piano Quintet. But Prokofiev is far superior in the ballet area. Film music; who knows.

Overall; I think your conclusion stands.

Yep, I agree the preludes and fugues and Piano Quintet are great works I didn't mention. Overall Shostakovich probably produced more works that I enjoy, but I have to say he wrote some real garbage too.... .....whereas I can't think of any of Prokofiev's work that I don't at least appreciate. However, I've yet to develop a taste for opera or ballet, unfortunately.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Not according to the poll results.

The margin of error is 8% so that could shore up Prokofiev's end.

[karlhenning]

Symphonies: don't really listen to either's, though I enjoy Prokofiev's 2nd and Shost's 14th

Excellent choices!

[Danny]

What?!  With your avatar you know better than that Danny.  At the very least have a split decision with a $84 million dollar rematch scheduled for 6 months later. 

Both are Russian, I say in Madison Square Garden or Atlantic City to fatten up that attendance.

[Bogey]

Both are Russian, I say in Madison Square Garden or Atlantic City to fatten up that attendance.

Got the "money" and the promoter all lined up. 



Got this in the player right now Danny:



Alright, I am finished with my derailment....apologies to all.

[rappy]

Well... I think Prokofiev had great melodical inspiration. Look at the violin sonatas, symphonies (all of them! except the 4th which I don't know), violin concertos, piano concertos (1-3!!), piano sonatas 6-8 etc. etc.
Sorry, but Shosta can't beat this. Many of his works are too overblown and long for me. I prefer compact works - I don't like Mahler a lot, either, for the same reason.
I think Shostakovich is the Mahler and Prokofiev the Schubert of the 19th century.

[greg]

Well... I think Prokofiev had great melodical inspiration. Look at the violin sonatas, symphonies (all of them! except the 4th which I don't know), violin concertos, piano concertos (1-3!!), piano sonatas 6-8 etc. etc.
Sorry, but Shosta can't beat this. Many of his works are too overblown and long for me. I prefer compact works - I don't like Mahler a lot, either, for the same reason.
I think Shostakovich is the Mahler and Prokofiev the Schubert of the 19th century.

i think you meant the "20th century" 

[Danny]

Well... I think Prokofiev had great melodical inspiration. Look at the violin sonatas, symphonies (all of them! except the 4th which I don't know), violin concertos, piano concertos (1-3!!), piano sonatas 6-8 etc. etc.
Sorry, but Shosta can't beat this. Many of his works are too overblown and long for me. I prefer compact works - I don't like Mahler a lot, either, for the same reason.
I think Shostakovich is the Mahler and Prokofiev the Schubert of the 19th century.

Unlocked the voting; make it official and let's keep adding more votes for Sergei. 

[rappy]

i think you meant the "20th century" 

True 

[greg]

Unlocked the voting; make it official and let's keep adding more votes for Sergei. 

yeah! Serge isn't going down without a fight 

[Mirror Image]

Shostakovich wins for me, but I really enjoy a lot of Prokofiev's music too, but Shostakovich had me hooked for many years whereas Prokofiev's is always enjoyable for me, but it doesn't send me into the kind of deep thought I seem to do with Shostakovich. The factors surrounding Shostakovich's music are also so damn fascinating. I like Shostakovich's blend of styles, his sarcasm, and the biting humor of his music. He really could write in any style he wanted to and remains, for me, one of the most versatile composers of the 20th Century.

[ibanezmonster]

Shostakovich = my 2 favorite composers mixed together 

[not edward]

Shostakovich = my 2 favorite composers mixed together 

Mahler and Mussorgsky? (I always think the Mussorgsky influence on Shostakovich is underestimated.)