Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 "Classical", Suites Nos. 1 & 2 from Romeo and Juliet

Featuring

Aziz Shokhakimov
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
Sergei Prokofiev

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Composition History

The commission for Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet is seen as an 'inducement' by the Soviet regime to secure the composer's return to his homeland.

Compositional Technique

For his 'Classical' Symphony, Prokofiev composed without a piano and used a conventional classical orchestration, including two of each wind instrument, trumpets, horns, timpani, and strings.

Composer Biography

Prokofiev was considered one of the finest pianists of his time, alongside Sergei Rachmaninoff and Vladimir Horowitz, before he returned to the Soviet Union.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Prokofiev titled his Symphony No. 1 'Classical' as a challenge, hoping it would achieve classic status and to provoke adherents of the classical tradition.

Composition History

Sergei Prokofiev, the composer, finished his Symphony No. 1 'Classical' just days before the Russian Revolution.

Critical Reception

The premiere of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet was delayed because Soviet institutions feared its psychological depth broke with traditional ballets and declared it 'undanceable'.