Prokofiev for kids: his life, his music, and what to play first

Sergei Prokofiev was a Russian composer who lived from 1891 to 1953. He wrote Peter and the Wolf, a story told with an orchestra, in which each character has its own instrument. He also wrote ballets, operas, symphonies, and film music. His tunes are bold and a little spiky. The best first piece for a child is Peter and the Wolf.

His name is said “pro-KOFF-ee-ev.”

Quick facts

• Born: 1891, in Sontsivka, a village in what is now Ukraine
• Died: 1953, in Moscow, Russia
• Era: Modern
• Played: piano
• Known for: Peter and the Wolf, Romeo and Juliet, the “Classical” Symphony, and Cinderella

The life in short

Prokofiev grew up on a country estate that his father managed. His mother played the piano for hours each day, and she was his first teacher. He wrote his first piano piece at five and an opera at nine.

At 13, he entered the music school in St. Petersburg. He was years younger than his classmates, and he knew it. He was quick, sharp-tongued, and sure of himself.

He was also a strong chess player. He once beat a future world champion in an exhibition game.

After the Russian Revolution, Prokofiev left the country. He lived in the United States and then in Paris, and he toured the world as a pianist. In 1936, he moved back to Moscow with his wife and two sons.

That same year, a children’s theater in Moscow asked him for a piece that would teach children the instruments of the orchestra. He wrote the story and the music of Peter and the Wolf in about two weeks.

He spent the rest of his life in the Soviet Union, where the government watched what composers wrote. He died in 1953.

What the music sounds like

Prokofiev’s tunes are easy to remember and hard to predict. A tune starts in a plain way and then jumps to a note nobody saw coming.

He liked a strong, steady beat, and he liked jokes. A lot of his music is playful.

Four pieces to play first

Peter and the Wolf. A narrator tells the story. The strings are Peter. The flute is the bird, the oboe is the duck, the clarinet is the cat, the bassoon is the grandfather, and three horns are the wolf. It lasts about 25 minutes. The Peter and the Wolf guide goes through each character.

“Dance of the Knights,” from Romeo and Juliet. Two families who hate each other meet at a ball. The low brass and strings stamp out heavy, proud steps.

“Troika,” from Lieutenant Kijé. Sleigh bells jingle through a fast ride across the snow. It suits a winter afternoon.

“Classical” Symphony, last movement. Prokofiev asked himself what Haydn would write if he were alive in 1917. The answer is quick, light, and over in about four minutes.

Things to do together

Who is that? Play Peter and the Wolf. Before each character appears, ask your child which instrument will play.

Heavy steps. Play “Dance of the Knights.” Walk with slow, heavy steps and a straight back. Then tiptoe for the quiet middle part.

Sleigh ride. Give your child bells or a ring of keys to shake during “Troika.” Gallop around the room as the horses.

Old and new. Play the last movement of the “Classical” Symphony, then a fast movement by Haydn. Ask what sounds the same and what sounds different. Haydn for kids has pieces to try.

Print and play

Print the Prokofiev fact sheet. It has the story, three pieces, and room to write and draw. To learn the instruments behind each character, print the instrument families listening chart.

Next, meet another Russian composer in Stravinsky for kids. For all 24 composers by era, see classical composers for kids.