Peter and the Wolf
A 1936 symphonic fairy tale by Sergei Prokofiev in which orchestral instruments represent characters in a story about a boy and a wolf.
Sergei Prokofiev: A Russian composer and pianist whose works include symphonies, ballets, operas, and film scores. He composed the music and wrote the story for this symphonic fairy tale.
Peter and the Wolf character themes: The recurring musical themes that identify the characters in Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale. Each character’s theme is tied to a particular instrumental sound.
Natalya Sats: A Soviet theatre director who founded the Moscow Children’s Musical Theatre. She commissioned Prokofiev to create a musical work for children.
Instrument demonstration: A performance or explanation that reveals how a musical instrument sounds and works. The score lets performances introduce orchestral instruments through character themes.
Peter and the Wolf opening: The opening section of Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale, introducing Peter and the surrounding countryside. Its themes establish the characters before the wolf appears.
Symphonic poem: An orchestral composition that uses music to evoke a story, scene, or idea. The work belongs to a broader tradition of orchestral storytelling.
Flute: A woodwind instrument that produces sound when air is directed across an opening. Its agile high-register melody represents the bird.
Moscow Children’s Musical Theatre: A Moscow theatre company founded by Natalya Sats to present music and performance for young audiences. Its commission prompted Prokofiev to write the piece.
Music education: Teaching and learning music through performance, listening, theory, or composition. The work is frequently used to teach instrument timbres and orchestral roles.
The wolf in Peter and the Wolf: The antagonist in Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale, represented by three French horns. The wolf’s entrance demonstrates how orchestral color signals danger.