Neoclassical Music Composers : Sergei Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev was one of the greatest neoclassical music composers of the 20th century. He mastered several musical genres as a Russian pianist, conductor and composer and well known for his neoclassical style. Important works of Sergei Prokofiev include but are not limited to: Toccata in D minor, Piano Sonata no. 2 in D minor, Piano Concert No. 2 in D minor, Sarcasms, Op. 17 for piano, Chout, Op. 21 ballet in six scenes, Visions Fugitives Op. 22 set of twenty piano pieces, The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33 opera in four acts, includes the famous Martch from the Love for Three Oranges, Symphony No. 1 in D Major Classical, The Fiery Angel, Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, The Prodigal Son, Four Portraits from “The Gambler”, String Quartet No. 1 in B Minor, Symphonic Song, Romeo and Juliet ballet, Peter and the Wolf, Alexander Nevsky, Violin Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, and three so-called War Sonatas; Piano Sonata No. 6 in A Major; Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major; and Piano Sonata No. 8 in B-flat Major. His Symphony No. 1 has been one of the major works of Neoclassical music. When he wrote Romeo and Juliet ballet as an experienced composer, he proved himself as a gifted composer.

A controversial composer, a gifted musician of 20th century: Sergei Prokofiev

Born in Sontsovka (which is now Krasna) in Donetsk oblast, on April 27, 1891, Prokofiev was a child prodigy and had composed his first opera at the age of nine. His first opera was titled “The Giant”. Interestingly enough, in his younger years Prokofiev had a fear of the black notes. This was overcome in his early teens.

At the age of 11, he had attempted to write his first symphony. Also at the age of 11, Prokofiev’s mother had an opportunity to expose her son to Sergei Taneyev,  the director of the Moscow Conservatoire. Sergei Taneyev was responsible for the first several years of Prokofiev’s training. At age 12, Prokofiev had composed “Desert Islands” and “The Feast during The Plague”, his second and third operas.

In his teens, Prokofiev turned from composing to playing the piano and conducting. He found he didn’t have the love of composing as he had previously. Later though, after taking a composition class at the St Petersburg Conservatory, his musical experimentation and creativity took him back to his first love and passion; composing. Prokofiev was accepted by St Petersburg Conservatory as the youngest student ever admitted. He was trained by Reinhold Gliere, and Alexander Glazunov. However his traditionalist composition teacher Alexander Glazunov was not happy with his modernist tendencies.

Two things happened to Prokofiev in 1910 at the age of 18; his father passed away and he began to make a name for himself in the music scene. Prokofiev was a controversial composer as he included the use of polytonality and dissonance in his works. In 1913 Prokofiev premiered his first two piano concertos. Half the audience was horrified at the new age sounding noise and half the audience thought it was great and forward-thinking.

Later that year, Prokofiev was able to tour out of Russia for the first time in his career. He toured to London and Paris. It was in London that he first was introduced to Sergei Diaghilev’s music. Sergei Diaghilev’s music and style inspired Prokofiev. He was commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev to write The Prodigal Son ballet. In 1918 Prokofiev exiled to the United States to pursue his music career. His first solo concert in the United States was in New York. However, American people were not used to the neoclassical style of Prokofiev.

Classical Symphony of Sergei Prokofiev written in 1918 helped for the beginning of Neoclassic music era. Classical Symphony was a new composition with past materials of the 18th century and a modern sense. He could express himself perfectly with this neoclassical style at age 26, which deeply affected people during its premiere in St Petersburg.

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