DANIEL JAFFE

A comprehensive, revealing biography of the versatile Russian composer and pianist.A revealing and comprehensive biography of Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953), versatile Russian composer and pianist, who is best known for the ballet Romeo and Juliet and Peter and the Wolf Examines the works of Prokofiev, who primarily wrote for the stage but who also contributed to the genres of symphony and concerto with works inseparable from the political context in which they were composed Shows how pressure from Soviet authority, following his return to Russia after years abroad, stimulated as much as it limited his creativity - ultimately leading to the denunciation of his music in 1948 as 'formalistic' The versatile composer and pianist Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) is among the most significant and individual figures in twentieth-century Russian music. Best known for the ballet Romeo and Juliet and his piece for children Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev wrote primarily for the stage and also contributed notably to the genres of symphony and concerto. The pressure from Soviet authority, following his return to Russia after years abroad, stimulated as much as it limited his creativity, leading ultimately to the denunciation of his music in 1948 as 'formalistic'. This revealing and comprehensive biography examines Prokofiev's works - wild, brilliant, lyrical, sometimes unashamedly over-the-top - as inseparable from the political background of their composition.

The versatile composer and pianist Sergey Prokofiev (1891–1953) is among the most significant and individual figures in twentieth-century Russian music. Best known for the ballet Romeo and Juliet and his work for children, Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev wrote primarily for the stage and also contributed notably to the genres of symphony and concerto. The pressure from Soviet authority, following his return to Russia after years abroad, stimulated as much as it limited his creativity, leading ultimately to the denunciation of his music in 1948 as ‘formalistic’. This revealing and comprehensive biography examines Prokofiev’s works – wild, brilliant, lyrical, sometimes unashamedly over-the-top – as inseparable from the political background to their composition.