This is the violin pieces Poem and Scherzo (1951), where the brilliant violinist Basner reveals wonderful knowledge of the instrument and its virtuoso abilities.
The Poem is lyrical and pathetic, accepted at one breath. The composition is opened by the brief introduction, stained in stern contemplative hints. Then the palpitating melody appears performed by the violin on the ground of piano triplets.
The elaborative section outbursts passion and fever, while the growing wave leads to apex. The Poem is completed on weary descending intonations of the theme that seems to have exhausted its energy, thus sounding peaceful and obedient.
The Scherzo reveals concealed features of the composer’s talent. Here the sounding outbreaks dominate as impetuous unbridled, even boorish force casting the moods of Prokofiev’s characters in this genre. This is felt also through the melody of the middle episode, where lucid courageous handsome lyrical temper dominates.