Profile of Sergey Prokofiev

April 23, 1891

Sontsovka, Ukraine, Russian Empire

March 5, 1953 in Moscow, Russia due to cerebral hemorrhage

Russian composer of the 20th century especially notable for his stage works. His full name was Sergey Sergeyevich Prokofiev.

He wrote ballets, operas, symphonies, film music, program music and concerti.

His mother taught him how to play the piano when he was young and he began composing at age five. Reinhold Glière became his teacher in music composition and theory. He later attended the St. Petersburg Conservatory where he graduated in 1914 with a Rubinstein Prize under his belt.

He wrote many compositions, among them are: "Peter and the Wolf," "Scythian Suite," "The Buffoon," "The Gambler," "The Love for Three Oranges," "War and Peace," "Concerto in G Minor," "Concerto in D-flat Major," "Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major," "Seven, They Are Seven,' "Symphony No. 4 in C Major," "String Quartet No. 1," "Romeo and Juliet" (ballet), "The Toast," "Ivan the Terrible" (film music), "Sinfonia Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E Minor,' "The Stone Flower" and "Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp Minor.'

He received the Anton Rubinstein Prize in piano for his "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major." After he died, he was awarded the Lenin Prize for his "Symphony No. 7." Prokofiev lived with Mira Mendelson until the time of his death.

Prokofiev completed "Peter and the Wolf" in 1936; it debuted on May 2, 1936 at the Moscow Children's Musical Theater. Since then "Peter and the Wolf" has become Prokofiev's most notable work. To this day, teachers use this composition to introduce children to the different instruments of the orchestra. (See list of characters and instruments)

Listen to Sergey Prokofiev as he performs "Toccata in D minor Op.11 " courtesy of YouTube.