Looking Closer At Sergei Prokofiev
March 5, 2011A lot of experts in the field of classical music regard Sergei Prokofiev as a serious force of the 20th century. His works are a collection that runs the gamut of the classical genre. He wrote for sonatas, symphonies, ballets, operas and quartets. Here we will take a closer look at this master’s life and accomplishments.
Prokofiev was born in Moscow in 1891, which was before its annexation by the Soviets as one of the Soviet Socialist Republics. He was raised in a rural estate that was far from other people which created an atmosphere of isolation for him.
His talent showed itself early on. At age five his mother jotted down a short composition for piano that he had written. By age seven he had taken to chess, a game he would always be drawn to. Remarkably, he completed an opera before his tenth birthday. It was called ‘The Giant’, and that was not the end of his composing while only nine. He also wrote miscellaneous pieces and a full overture.
It was in St. Petersburg when he really began to shine. Here is where he studied music formally at the conservatory in the city under the instruction of renowned composers like Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. It was not a very easy time for him as he was quite a bit younger than most of his classmates. Furthermore, his peers often called him haughty and even flat out arrogant. But this did not prevent him from excelling.
His time at St. Petersburg culminated with a competition among him and four of the conservatory’s other top students. His Piano Concerto No 1 won this competition. With this builder of confidence, Prokofiev moved to London and started to make a name for himself composing ballets. His piece ‘Chout’ brought recognition from all over, but notably from other major composer, like Ravel and Stravinsky. These two called it a work of genius.
Prokofiev went on to compose some of the most glorious works in the library of twentieth century music. ‘Lieutenant Kije’ is a striking suite for orchestra. Its highlight is the segment known as ‘Troika’. And children then, just as today, adored his ‘Peter and the Wolf’.
Prokofiev died in Moscow in 1953, ironically on the same day that Stalin died. Since the communists that ruled during the time did not receive much of his work favorably, his passing did not bring much recognition. But it did not go unnoticed by classical music lovers all over the world.
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