Two factors contribute to confusion about the birthdate of composer Sergei Prokofiev. First, he always said he was born on April 11, 1891. That was when Russia was using the old Julian calendar. When Russia converted to the more accurate Gregorian calendar in 1918, April 11 became April 23. But you’ll also see his birthdate in some sources as April 27. That’s because posthumous discovery of his birth certificate shows that he was actually born April 15, 1891 which, when the calendar changed, became April 27.
So today we’re celebrating Prokofiev’s birthday with samples of his music throughout the day. Some featured works include “Peter and the Wolf” during Morning Classical with Mike Nelson. The Violin Concerto No. 2 and Piano Concerto No. 3 during Midday Classical with Jennifer Reason. And during Afternoon Classical with Victor Forman, the “Lieutenant Kije Suite,” plus the Symphony No. 5 for today’s Midday Masterpiece.
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