Prokofiev

Prokofiev left revolutionary Russia in 1918 and established himself as a pianist and composer in America and Paris; Chicago hosted the world premieres of his Third Piano Concerto and The Love for Three Oranges. He returned permanently to the Soviet Union in 1936, where increasing state control culminated in his denunciation for “formalism” in 1948. The sharp rhythms, sudden harmonic turns and strong melodies of his ballets and piano music have given jazz musicians particularly resilient material to rework.