Sergey Prokofiev was a 20th-century Russian (and Soviet) composer, born on April 23 (April 11, Old Style), 1891, in Sontsovka, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. He passed away on March 5, 1953, in Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. Prokofiev was a prolific composer who wrote in a wide range of musical genres, including symphonies, concerti, film music, operas, ballets, and program pieces.

His early life in rural Ukraine, with its peasant songs, left a lasting impression on his music. Prokofiev’s mother, a good pianist, was his first mentor in music. The Russian composer Reinhold Glière was his first teacher in theory and composition, preparing him for entrance into the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Prokofiev’s time at the conservatory from 1904 to 1914 was marked by rapid creative growth. His originality impressed his teachers, and upon graduation, he was awarded the Anton Rubinstein Prize in piano for a brilliant performance of his own first large-scale work—the Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major.

He is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century, with works such as the March from “The Love for Three Oranges,” the suite “Lieutenant Kijé,” the ballet “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Peter and the Wolf” being widely recognized. Prokofiev’s music is known for its innovation, dissonance, and virtuosity, and he remains a significant figure in classical music history.