Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf (With CD)

Prokofiev showed compositional talent from a young age, influenced by his pianist mother. At thirteen, he entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory and studied under Rimsky-Korsakov. At twenty-three, he won first prize at the Anton Rubinstein Piano Competition with his self-composed "Piano Concerto No. 1."

After fleeing Russia due to the 1917 Revolution, Prokofiev returned in 1936 with a style that evolved from its earlier intensity to a more lyrical simplicity. He developed a unique style that, while rooted in romantic traditions, was distinct from both nationalistic and impressionistic influences.