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Table of Contents
Sergei Prokofiev
Beginning
Prokofiev's musical dreams were fueled by hearing his mother play famous composers on the piano in the evenings after he was born on April 23, 1891.1)
Glazunov
Prokofiev, at 13, and his mother were introduced to composer Glazunov, a professor at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, in 1904. He was so impressed that he encouraged Sergei to apply to study there.2)
Arrogant
Prokofiev, who was many years younger than most of his Conservatory students, was seen as eccentric and haughty, frequently voicing his unhappiness with his schooling, which he felt uninteresting.3)
Scandalous Piano Music
Prokofiev rose to prominence as a composer-pianist, composing a number of demanding pieces for his instrument, including his first two piano concertos. The second generated a stir when it premiered in 1913. “The cats on the roof create greater music!” the audience allegedly said as they exited the venue.4)
Classical
In the summer of 1917, Prokofiev wrote his first symphony, the Classical, which he believed was written in the manner that Haydn would have used if he had been living at the time.5)
Scythian Suite
The Scythian Suite, assembled from music he produced for the Ballets Russes, was Prokofiev's first significant symphonic hit. Diaghilev commissioned three further ballets from Prokofiev, all of which were well-received.6)
Family
Following the Russian Revolution, Prokofiev fled his motherland with the official approval of the Soviet Union. He resided in the United States, Germany, and Paris, where he met and married Spanish singer Carolina Codina, with whom he had two kids.7)
Operas
Opera was Prokofiev's first passion. Among his works are The Gambler and The Fiery Angel. His most popular film, however, was the satirical 'The Love for Three Oranges'.8)
Prokofiev and Stravinsky
Prokofiev and his compatriot Stravinsky were friends, however the latter's latter compositions did not appeal to Prokofiev. After himself, Stravinsky humbly rated Prokofiev as the finest Russian composer of his day.9)
First Recording
Prokofiev recorded for the first time in his life in London's legendary Abbey Road studios towards the end of June 1932. With the London Symphony Orchestra, he recorded his third Piano Concerto. HRH Prince George (later the Duke of Kent) paid a visit to the studios on June 28 and “left abruptly, maybe shocked by the rather forceful nature of the music.”10)