Prokofiev's 8th Piano Sonata is the last of the 3 piano
sonatas written consecutively during the Second World War.
The finale contains some stunningly brilliant writing
for the piano, especially the last minute or two,
sandwiching a middle section that is, well, almost
unredeemable.  It's hard to listen to once, so try it
again. If nothing else, it makes the outer parts of the
movement seem all the more interesting and moving. Perhaps
it's meant to represent in some way the pain caused by the
war, but this has been said of a lot of music written at
this time.  Decide for yourself.

                        --Gary Goldberg

Internet*: gg0012@epfl2.epflbalto.org  Genie: G.GOLDBERG3  CIS:76236,3302

   *-for now