Last work completed for the solo piano, the Sonata N.9 was composed during 1946-47 and dedicated to Sviatoslav Richter. "This will be "your" sonata.." said the composer, "..but do not expect a show piece. It is not made to strike the big hall of the Conservatory (Moscow)"
Despite its huge proportions and presenting some serious technical challenges to the performer, this last Sonata is extremely refined and "purified". The settling down and purification of the last period of Prokofiev can be clearly seen in that work. In many points one can trace a parallel with the noble style of Poulenc, a good old friend of Prokofiev.
Allegretto
It starts without haste in a limpid serenity. Its brisk impulsions start when going towards the second theme. With fast runs and jerky rhythms. Those figures will be extensively used later in the piece. The second theme, extremely purified is not more than a few repeated notes. At the point "Poco meno mosso" appears a third motivic element which descends in chromatic steps on dotted rhythms.…show more content… This section is in the well known Prokofiev piano style.
A pianissimo transition in which the tonic rumbles at the left hand on two octaves span, brings the re-exposition in the key of B major. An unusual tonal layout, which however, returns to the main C major for the second theme and the Coda.
