Symphony No.1

Prokofiev's First Symphony was composed in 1916/17 as a deliberate homage to Viennese Classicism, particularly to Haydn. The then 25-year-old composer sought to prove that he could compose in the style of the 18th century without denying his own musical personality. The work combines classical forms and proportions with Prokofiev's characteristic harmony and his unmistakable melodic inventiveness.

The "Symphonie Classique" already displays many typical features of Prokofiev's musical language: his predilection for incisive, often ironically colored melodies, surprising harmonic turns, and brilliant, transparent orchestration. Despite its deliberate reference to historical models, the work sounds unmistakably modern and Russian. The music combines classical elegance with a specifically Russian melodic gesture and that slightly mocking detachment characteristic of Prokofiev.

As one of Prokofiev's most successful works, the First Symphony remains to this day an exemplary model of creative engagement with musical tradition. It marks the beginning of Prokofiev's international career and already demonstrates the stylistic versatility that would characterize his entire output.