Prokofiev, Sergei Sergeevich 1891 - 1953
Author: Yamamoto, Akihisa
Last updated：June 25, 2019
Author: Yamamoto, Akihisa
Author : PTNA Piano Encyclopedia Editorial Department
Last Updated: January 1, 2010
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Author : PTNA Piano Encyclopedia Editorial Department
Composer and pianist. Born into a wealthy family in Ukraine, he was influenced by his mother, a pianist. His musical talent was exceptional from an early age; he composed his first piano piece at five, and after studying the fundamentals of harmony, form, and orchestration, he had already written a four-movement symphony by the age of ten. During his youth, he composed a vast number of short pieces for piano. While these early works certainly bear a strong impression of imitative studies, they already contained the musicality that would later evolve into Prokofiev's refined and distinctive style.
From 1904, he began serious studies at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, but for him, being musically precocious, the conservatory's lessons were tedious. However, his encounter with the composer and conductor Nikolai Tcherepnin (who was greatly influenced by Debussy and the late Scriabin) particularly stimulated him with their mysticism and sensual sonorities, leading Prokofiev to compose intensely individual music. He was active in America from 1918 to 1922, in Paris from 1922 to 1936, and again in the Soviet Union from 1936 onwards. His works exhibit his unique style, characterized by sharp characterization, a satirical approach, percussive treatment of the piano, and distinctive harmonies, making him one of the most important and representative musicians of the 20th century.
Works(55)
Concerto (1)
concerto (6)
Piano Solo (10)
sonata (10)
pieces (18)
character pieces (3)
Reduction/Arrangement (2)
Chamber Music (2)
sonata (5)
etc (3)
Various works (1)
Peter and the wolf (Piano reduction by the composer) Op.67
Composed in: 1936 Playing time: 25 min 00 sec