London Philharmonic Orchestra

From student days at St Petersburg until 1933, just before he finally returned from the West to live out the remainder of his life in the Soviet Union, Prokofiev kept a uniquely revealing diary to which he confided his innermost thoughts - the struggles and triumphs of his creative life, his spiritual strivings, his relationships with lovers, friends, fellow-musicians and other prominent artists, the events and encounters of his turbulent life at the centre of the most explosive periods of 20th century art.

Anthony Phillips, translator of the diaries into English, has devised a programme in which readings from the diaries and other autobiographical writings will throw light on what lies behind some of the music created by this most complex, elusive and original genius.

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Simon Callow as Prokofiev
Timothy Walker narrator
Joan Rodgers
Piers Lane piano
Rex Lawson pianola