Prokofiev

Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (1891–1953) was a Russian composer and pianist whose work helped shape 20th‑century music. Born in Sontsovka, in the Donetsk region, he showed prodigious musical talent early and studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, where he developed a bold, modern approach to composition and performance.

Prokofiev gained international recognition in the 1910s and 1920s for a distinctive voice that combined brisk rhythm, bright orchestration, and clear melodic lines. His Symphony No. 1, the Classical Symphony, and his widely performed piano works established his reputation in Europe and the United States. He also distinguished himself in the theatre with bold ballets and operas, including Romeo and Juliet and The Love for Three Oranges. In film music he achieved enduring fame for his score to Alexander Nevsky (1938), noted for its martial energy and dramatic clarity.

After spending many years abroad, Prokofiev returned to the Soviet Union in 1936. His later career was marked by continued prolific output across symphonies, concertos, operas, and ballets, as well as orchestral and chamber works that balanced accessibility with modern harmonic and rhythmic language. During the late 1940s, his music was briefly challenged by Soviet cultural authorities, but he remained a prominent figure in Soviet and international music, and his work continued to be widely performed and recorded.

Prokofiev died in Moscow on March 5, 1953, the same day as Joseph Stalin. His music remains influential for its energetic vitality, inventive orchestration, and expressive clarity.