Born:
April 23, 1891
Birthplace:
Sontsovka, Ukraine, Russian Empire
Died:
March 5, 1953 in Moscow, Russia due to cerebral hemorrhage
Also Known As:
Russian composer of the 20th century especially notable for his stage works. His full name was Sergey Sergeyevich Prokofiev.
Type of Compositions:
He wrote
ballets,
operas,
symphonies, film music,
program music and concerti.
Influence:
His mother taught him how to play the piano at a young age and began composing when he was 5 years old. 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.
Musical Work:
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.'
Interesting Facts:
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.
Related Movie/DVD:
Sesame Street - Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and the Wolf (Compare Prices)Related Video:
Listen to Sergey Prokofiev as he performs "
Toccata in D minor Op.11
" courtesy of YouTube.
