The Love And Wars Of Lina Prokofiev: The Extraordinary Life of a Talented Composer's Wife

They say behind every great man there's a great woman, and in the case of famed Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, Lina Prokofiev was that woman. The story of Lina's life is one filled with love, passion, and the turbulent times of war.

Born in Madrid, Spain in 1897, Lina Codina met Sergei Prokofiev, a young and ambitious composer, during his tour of Western Europe. Little did she know that their encounter would shape her life forever.

Lina was captivated not only by Sergei's music but also by his charisma and ambition. The two fell deeply in love and despite the disapproval of Sergei's family, they decided to marry in 1923. This union marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would take them to some of the most significant cultural hubs of the time.

Lina & Serge: The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev

by Christopher B. Balme(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4121 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	349 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Lina Prokofiev quickly became an essential part of Sergei's life and career. She managed his finances, acted as his interpreter during international tours, and even co-wrote some of his works. Their partnership was one of artistic collaboration and mutual support.

However, their love story was not without its hardships. The turbulent political climate of the Soviet Union in the early 20th century forced them to lead a challenging life. In 1936, Sergei's opera was harshly criticized by Joseph Stalin himself, leading to official condemnation and public disgrace.

As tensions escalated, the Prokofievs found themselves living a life of constant fear and suspicion. Lina's remarkable resilience and unwavering support for Sergei became their only source of solace in those dark times.

When World War II broke out, their lives took another dramatic turn. Fleeing Moscow in 1941, Lina and Sergei found themselves in a turbulent and uncertain world. Lina, who had a profound love for her country and its people, actively participated in the war effort, working as a nurse and caring for wounded soldiers.

Despite the challenges they faced, Lina and Sergei remained devoted to each other. Their love and shared passion for music sustained them throughout the years of hardship.

After the war, the Prokofievs faced new trials as Sergei's health deteriorated. Lina dedicated herself to taking care of him, ensuring his music continued to be heard and appreciated by audiences around the world.

When Sergei Prokofiev passed away in 1953, Lina's world shattered. She was left with the legacy of her husband's brilliance and a profound sense of loss. Yet, she continued to fight for his music and his memory.

Throughout her life, Lina Prokofiev embodied strength, love, and resilience. Her unwavering support for Sergei during the wars and turmoil they endured together showcased a woman of incredible character and devotion.

Today, Lina's contributions to Sergei Prokofiev's life and career are widely recognized. Her influence as a muse, a collaborator, and a partner to one of the greatest composers of the 20th century cannot be overlooked.

The love and wars of Lina Prokofiev tell a captivating tale of a woman whose life was intertwined with that of a musical genius. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of love, even in the darkest of times.

In a world often fixated on the achievements of the famous, it is crucial to recognize the remarkable individuals behind their success. Lina Prokofiev's story is one that deserves to be shared and celebrated for its undeniable impact on the world of music and the enduring power of love.

Lina & Serge: The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev

by Christopher B. Balme(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4121 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	349 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This account of the renowned composer’s neglected wife—including her years in a Soviet prison—is “a story both riveting and wrenching” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Serge Prokofiev was one of the twentieth century’s most brilliant composers yet is an enigma to historians and his fans. Why did he leave the West and move to the Soviet Union despite Stalin’s crimes? Why did his astonishing creativity in the 1930s soon dissolve into a far less inspiring output in his later years? The answers can finally be revealed, thanks to Simon Morrison’s unique and unfettered access to the family’s voluminous papers and his ability to reconstruct the tragic, riveting life of the composer’s wife, Lina.
 
Morrison’s portrait of the marriage of Lina and Serge Prokofiev is the story of a remarkable woman who fought for survival in the face of unbearable betrayal and despair and of the irresistibly talented but heartlessly self-absorbed musician she married. Born to a Spanish father and Russian mother in Madrid at the end of the nineteenth century and raised in Brooklyn, Lina fell in love with a rising-star composer—and defied convention to be with him, courting public censure. She devoted her life to Serge and art, training to be an operatic soprano and following her brilliant husband to Stalin’s Russia. Just as Serge found initial acclaim—before becoming constricted by the harsh doctrine of socialist-realist music—Lina was at first accepted and later scorned, ending her singing career. Serge abandoned her and took up with another woman. Finally, Lina was arrested and shipped off to the gulag in 1948. She would be held in captivity for eight awful years. Meanwhile, Serge found himself the tool of an evil regime to which he was forced to accommodate himself.
 
The contrast between Lina and Serge is one of strength and perseverance versus utter self-absorption, a remarkable human drama that draws on the forces of art, sacrifice, and the struggle against oppression. Readers will never forget the tragic drama of Lina’s life, and never listen to Serge’s music in quite the same way again.