In 1904, Sergei Prokofiev and his mother traveled from Moscow to St. Petersburg in search of educational opportunities. There, Prokofiev was introduced to Alexander Glazunov, a professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, who was impressed by Prokofiev's works. On Glazunov's advice, Prokofiev applied to the Conservatory and passed the entrance examinations. His mother then moved to St. Petersburg, where Prokofiev made his debut as a young musician. During this time, he also met Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who praised him and whose teaching influenced him, although the contact remained rather superficial. After Rimsky-Korsakov's death, Prokofiev began performing publicly as a pianist, and his compositions gained increasing recognition.[4] The First Piano Concerto in D-flat major, Op. 10, was composed in 1911/12 during Prokofiev's studies at the Conservatory. With this work, considered his first mature composition, he introduced new impulses to Russian music. The music impressed with its innovative musical language, original harmonies, and striking contrasts. Prokofiev debuted as a soloist with the concerto in Moscow, gaining wider recognition before the work was also performed in the USA. After the upheavals of the First World War, he left Russia and became internationally famous.[5] Prokofiev composed the Fourth Piano Concerto in B-flat major specifically for the left hand, inspired by Paul Wittgenstein. Its premiere did not take place until years later in Berlin, as the work remained unpublished for a long time. The composition presented a particular technical challenge for pianists and was eventually recognized as an exceptional work. The Fifth Piano Concerto in G major, composed a few years later, reflected Prokofiev's artistic development and his love of experimentation. Its unusual form and diverse melodic ideas gave the concerto a distinctive character. The combination of different themes and keys lent the composition its own unique identity. The premiere took place in Berlin under the direction of Wilhelm Furtwängler and showcased Prokofiev's musical originality at a new peak.
