Born in the village of Sontsovka (Ukraine). His musical abilities were noticed in early childhood. Prokofiev's first teacher was his mother, a pianist. In 1902-1903 he took lessons from the composer R. Glière. In 1904 he entered the St Petersburg Conservatory. He graduated in 1909 as a composer and five years later as a pianist, and until 1917 he studied in the organ class. In 1918 he left the Soviet Union for the USA. In 1936 he returned to his homeland with his Spanish wife and sons. He died in Moscow.
