Prokofiev

Prokofiev was known for his nationalistic compositions. His 6th Sonata, along with the 7th and 8th, are known as the war sonatas. His music is very distinct in that it is very dry, has motoric rhythms, and has biting sonorities. He did not try to hide the dissonance of his music but rather was proud of it. His music always has ties to tonal centers though.

Shastakovich lived during the same period that Prokofiev did but was much less compliant to Stalin. Prokofiev outwardly obeyed Stalin's nationalistic desires of music. Shastakovich was censored by authority and was told his music should be accessible to workers. He wrote a set of 24 Preludes, Op. 34, and another set of 24 Preludes and Fugues Op. 84. The final prelude and fugue in d minor, begins with large chord clusters. The texture becomes much thinner and it ends that way, making a smooth transition into the fugue which is a double fugue and shares the same key of Bach's final fugue.