Sergei Prokofiev is acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, and may well remain the most popular to this day. He was also an accomplished pianist and conductor who embraced many musical genres. His orchestral music, operas, ballets, chamber works, and piano music is widely performed throughout the world.
Born in Russia in 1891, he received his first piano instruction from his mother, who also encouraged composing. After studies with Gliere, he passed the entrance examination at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. There he studied with Rimsky-Korsakov and Liadov.
He formed a lasting relationship with Sergei Diaghilev, who arranged his first performance outside Russia (Rome, 1915). In Paris, where Prokofiev settled, Diaghilev produced his ballets during the years 1921-32. After returning to Russia, he composed Peter and the Wolf, the opera War and Peace, and the ballets Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella. He died in 1953.