Talk:Lieutenant Kijé (Prokofiev)

Getting discussion page going
Since the talk page was blank, I copied the boxes from the Peter and the Wolf discussion page and pasted it here, changing the auto to 'no' and rating it a 'start'. Not sure if the film soundtrack belongs in American task force so I've left it blank. This is a popular work of classical music and deserves further attention. Jusda fax  10:06, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

Puppet version
Growing up in Surrey in the 80's we were shown a puppet version of the Lieutenant Kije story a few times. It was probably past of an educational series. I would love to get hold of a copy, does anyone know anything about it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.177.170.103 (talk) 02:45, 9 October 2009 (UTC)

Troika
The references to Troika in the article link to the dance page, yet this suggests the movement describes a journey in the three-horse carriage of that name. And the piece in the suite doesn't sound much like the dance tune. Does anyone know the truth of it? Moonraker12 (talk) 16:58, 29 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I think you're right. The way the piece is used in other contexts and how it is usually described suggests indeed a stronger link to the three-horse carriage than to the dance; the wikilink should reflect that.
 * PS: The wording of that sentence would be improved by capitalising "Troika" and inserting the word "movement": "The Troika movement is frequently used in films …". -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 00:48, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that, and for the suggestion; I’ll change them accordingly.
 * As it turns out, the entire film is on Youtube, and the film page has a link to it: And the Troika movement (at 0.46 mins) does, in fact, illustrate a Troika journey.
 * The film is an interesting watch BTW; it’s nice to hear and see Prokofiev’s music in context. Moonraker12 (talk) 16:22, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

The Troika has always made me think of the folk song Billy Boy, at least as I've heard that song performed. I don't know if Prokofiev drew upon any folk elements (or if, conversely, performers of the folk song were thinking of Prokofiev), but there's enough similarity that I can't help connecting the two. Richard K. Carson (talk) 04:23, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

Informal peer review comments
Looks quite good. I've heard of the piece but am glad to learn of the particulars. A few comments:
 * "various distinguished composers were ready to try their hand at film music, among whom Prokofiev was not an obvious choice for the Russian film industry ..." I'm not sure the "among whom" works as you have to go well back in the sentence past a different noun to figure out what it refers to. I might recast as "... film music was often written by distinguished composers. Prokofiev, despite his Russian heritage, was not an obvious choice." (that is, cut "the Russian film industry")
 * "Based in Paris for almost a decade, he had acquired a reputation for experimentation and dissonance, characteristics at odds with the prevailing cultural norms of the Soviet regime." I'd cut "acquired", "characteristics", and "prevailing", also ...
 * I think I have to keep "characteristics", but otherwise reworded as you suggest. Brianboulton (talk) 22:41, 26 August 2016 (UTC)


 * "regime" as in "government we don't like"? I would avoid.
 * "two best-selling songs" I'm not thrilled with this, as songs do not sell as such, at least in the US. I might say "two hit songs"
 * "from the revolutionary government" I'd toss a "Bolshevik" into the mix for those who do not care to follow the October Revolution link.
 * "he thern stayed briefly" typo (am doing this offline)
 * "The Russian government," to avoid quibbles I might say "Moscow officials" or simply "Moscow".
 * The explanatory mention of the USSR's formation might well be placed in the notes.
 * I've shortened the explanation, but left it in the text. Brianboulton (talk) 22:41, 26 August 2016 (UTC)


 * "visit" in connection with his going to the USSR. I would avoid as there might be a quibble as to whether he was visiting or returning to his homeland.  Possibly say that he journeyed to the USSR in 1927, and substitute "trips" for "visits" in the additional use.
 * "on disc" possibly a pipe to the appropriate technology, as the modern reader may think of it as a CD or similar.
 * I imagine it was Aluminum disc but nothing in the sources refers to a particular technology. I've generalised the text slightly. Brianboulton (talk) 22:41, 26 August 2016 (UTC)


 * "By this time, in the Soviet Union the young Dimitri Shostakovich had already begun his prolific career as a composer of film sound-tracks, with The New Babylon in 1929 and Alone in 1931." consider moving the first comma to after "Union"
 * "In 1932" it's my thought that this might be a good start to a new paragraph
 * "The composer's first response was a firm refusal." Hardly firm. Perhaps "strong", or "forceful"?
 * The verb "failed" is used twice within a short proximity, though the "1933 film" heading separates them.
 * "his caustic wit and sharp humour" leaving aside the exact method of destruction, aren't these the same thing?
 * "A ceremonial funeral " aren't they all? I'm not sure if this refers to elaborateness or the lack of a guest of honour.
 * "one of several works, including the Classical Symphony, The Love of Three Oranges, Cinderella, and War and Peace, that show "the composer's fondness for the eighteenth century"" I assume the music of the 18th century?
 * "has drawn attention to" maybe "points out"?
 * "In Paris in 1928" possibly not the strongest way to open the sentence
 * "an optional vocal part for baritone voice." is "voice" implied?
 * Maybe, but there are baritone horns, baritone saxophones and baritone guitars, so I think it's best to be explicit. Brianboulton (talk) 22:41, 26 August 2016 (UTC)
 * Excellently done.--Wehwalt (talk) 12:01, 22 August 2016 (UTC)

Many thanks for these comments, very helpful. I've only responded when I've not followed your suggestions. A bit of final polishing, perhaps, before I bring it to FAC. Brianboulton (talk) 22:41, 26 August 2016 (UTC)

TFAR
Today's featured article/requests/Lieutenant Kijé (Prokofiev) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:51, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

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Troika as a carol?
Besides its use in Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas," isn't there a song or carol that uses the Troika melody? With lyrics something like "The ringing of the bells on Christmas Day ... "? I've looked everywhere and can't find it. 2600:100E:B00E:3255:9D53:3743:9D2:A837 (talk) 14:42, 20 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Alas, the main author of the article, the late Brian Boulton, is no longer with us. I bet he'd have been able to answer your question, but I'm sorry to say that I can't. I hope someone else can.  Tim riley  talk   20:54, 20 December 2021 (UTC)