Na_strazhe_mira_on_guard_for_peace_op_124_vii_l... May 2026

The oratorio was written after the 1948 Zhdanov Decree, which denounced many Soviet composers for "formalism". Prokofiev, living in poverty and under official cloud, responded with a work that celebrated Soviet ideals of peace and reconstruction. The "Lullaby" is a pivotal moment in this narrative, moving the focus from the grand themes of war and victory (such as the preceding "Stalingrad" movement) to the intimate, domestic sphere of a mother and child. Musical and Structural Analysis

The "Lullaby" is characterized by its simplicity and melodic warmth, traits Prokofiev deliberately cultivated in his later years to ensure his music remained accessible and "masterly". na_strazhe_mira_on_guard_for_peace_op_124_vii_l...

The movement is often cited as one of the most successful portions of the oratorio because it transcends its political origins. While the work as a whole contains "chilling" references to Soviet leadership, the "Lullaby" focuses on the "radiant joy" of childhood that Prokofiev aimed to safeguard. Recordings of the work, such as those by conductors Gennady Rozhdestvensky and Yuri Temirkanov , highlight the movement's tender, almost fragile quality. The oratorio was written after the 1948 Zhdanov

: Unlike the jagged, motoric rhythms of his earlier "age-of-steel" works, this lullaby features a "fine diatonic melody". It employs a flowing, triple-meter rhythm typical of the genre, providing a sense of security and rest. Recordings of the work, such as those by

Despite its roots in the darkest days of Stalinist repression, the VII. "Lullaby" remains a testament to Prokofiev's gift for "enchantment" and his commitment to a "new and noble strain of melodic writing". On Guard for Peace, Op. 124: Lullaby (VII) - Spotify

: The movement is scored for a mezzo-soprano (or contralto) soloist and a boys' choir , accompanied by a delicately orchestrated ensemble that often includes woodwinds and strings.