In Donetsk, they returned to the idea of ​​erecting a monument to Sergei Prokofiev

What it will be, the inhabitants of the republic will decide

April 23 marks the 132nd anniversary of the birth of Sergei Prokofiev – the date is not round, but in the Donbass, where the composer was born, they could not help but remember him. On this day, acting Minister of Culture of the DPR again voiced the already “forgotten” idea to erect a monument to the famous fellow countryman in Donetsk. It is noteworthy that under the previous government, despite the local “cult of Prokofiev”, this was never done.

“This year, by August, two monuments to Prokofiev will appear in the city,” Donetsk newspapers wrote optimistically in 2011.

But neither then, nor in 2014, when they planned to immortalize in bronze two Sergeyevs at the same time – Prokofiev and Yesenin – the matter did not go further than announcements.

As a consolation, the new international airport in Donetsk, built for Euro 2012, was named after the composer, and a three-man-height portrait was installed in the building. But as a result of the battles between the militias and the Ukrainian army, ruins remained from the airport, and the village of Krasnoe (Sontsovka), where he was born, where the museum operated and where the bronze Prokofiev sat imposingly on a bench, came under the control of Kiev. And the Donetsk people had almost nothing left – only music and a name.

Says the director of the Donetsk Republican Philharmonic Alexander Paretsky:

— Our orchestra and concert hall bear the name of Sergei Prokofiev. And in 2016, the Donetsk Musical College (now a college) was named after him for the 125th anniversary.

– For obvious reasons, you cannot visit the village of Krasnoye, since it is under Ukrainian control. And when was the last time you managed to visit the small homeland of Sergei Sergeyevich?

– In 2012, when the museum was opened after a major overhaul. We then made a special concert program of chamber works. I also performed two of his vocal compositions – arrangements of folk songs. Today the museum is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is falling into disrepair.

— To what extent do you feel “Prokofievocentrism” in the repertoire of the Philharmonic?

– Our repertoire is wide and varied, but, of course, there is some emphasis on the music of a fellow countryman. Over the years, several artists and philharmonic groups have been awarded the Prokofiev Prize for popularizing the musician’s legacy.

The repertoire of the Donetsk Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Sergei Prokofiev includes almost all well-known symphonic works. This year the orchestra will celebrate its 90th anniversary and will perform, among other things, the music of Prokofiev on a large tour of Russia (12 cities). The legendary pianist Valentina Lisitsa will take part in this tour. She will be the soloist in Prokofiev’s third piano concerto. This is my favorite piano concerto. I also consider his Scythian Suite special: power, color, the whole gamut of means of expression. It seems to me that the Scythian suite contains the whole history of our long-suffering, but always victorious land.

– Tell us, what was the portrait at the airport like? Did he strike with “gigantomania” or something else?

– There was not only a portrait, but also a musical line from Prokofiev’s true hit – “Dance of the Knights” from the ballet “Romeo and Juliet”. I have been able to use the new airport several times in its very short history. The entire musical community was very proud that the air gates of Donetsk were named after the great musician. And, of course, the destruction of the handsome airport, which was also a monument to the musical genius, is a tragedy …

– Since we are talking about the monument, are there any details known: where will it be installed?

The place has long been determined. To the right of the main entrance of the Philharmonic. Only the proximity to the store violates the improvement plan somewhat – but these are details.

— And what is known about the project of the future sculptural image?

— I know that there is a project of Leonid Semchenkov, Director of the Territorial Development Department of the Ministry of Construction of the DPR. According to another idea, the installation of a copy of the monument erected seven years ago in Moscow in Kamergersky Lane was considered as an option.

Whether the Donetsk Prokofiev will be a “clone” of the Moscow Prokofiev remains to be seen for sure. “MK” received an official comment on this from acting. Minister of Culture Mikhail Zheltyakov.

“With the support of the Russian Military Historical Society in the DPR, it is planned to create a monument to Prokofiev. Our ministry has planned to hold a competition, which is aimed at determining the best artistic solution and choosing the winner – the author of the development and implementation of the future project. The composition should organically fit into the concept of landscaping the territory chosen for its installation. The choice of the best project will be determined by the vote of the residents of the republic.”