The Prodigal Son
Kate Molleson traces Prokofiev’s return to Russia as he falls for Romeo and Juliet.
Kate Molleson closes the week with Prokofiev’s dramatic homecoming. After years abroad, the composer returns to a changed Russia. From the hammer-and-sickle spectacle of Le Pas d’acier to the sweeping romance of Romeo and Juliet, one constant remains: Prokofiev is a master storyteller.
Maddalena, overture
Moscow Helicon Theatre Chamber Orchestra
Kirill Tikhonov, conductor
Le Pas d’acier Suite, Op 41a: I, II
Scottish National Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor
The Prodigal Son, Op. 46, Scene 1: IV-VIII
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Romeo and Juliet: Interlude; Preparing for the Ball; Young Juliet; Arrival of the Guests; Masks; Dance of the Knights
London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn, conductor
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
![]()
Sergey Prokofiev
Maddalena, Op 13 (Overture)
Orchestra: Moscow Helicon Theatre Orchestra. Conductor: Kirill Tikhonov.- JSC : 884385568054.
- JSC.
- 1.
![]()
Sergey Prokofiev
The Steel Dance Suite, Op 41a
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.- CHANDOS: CHAN10482X.
- CHANDOS.
- 5.
![]()
Sergey Prokofiev
The Prodigal Son, Op 46 (excerpt)
Orchestra: Sao Paulo Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.- Naxos : 8.573186.
- Naxos.
- 8.
![]()
Sergey Prokofiev
Romeo and Juliet, Op 64 (excerpt)
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.- WARNER CLASSICS : 9677012.
- WARNER CLASSICS.
- 8.
Broadcast
- Fri 19 Dec 202516:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
