Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, “Classical”

The Allegro is a short movement in sonata form. Its fast first theme is followed by a second, in which staccato bassoons accompany the first violins. Prokofiev wrote for an orchestra of the size Haydn used, and the harmony departs from Haydn’s practice.

In the summer of 1917 Prokofiev left his piano behind and worked in the country near Petrograd. He composed much of the symphony without a keyboard, during long walks.

The Larghetto extends a single melody at length, where the Allegro moved quickly from one idea to the next. In this performance the two movements each last about four minutes.

Prokofiev imagined Haydn alive in Prokofiev’s own century, keeping his style while admitting new elements. The symphony was completed in September 1917. Prokofiev conducted its première in Petrograd on 21 April 1918, after the October Revolution.

A gavotte stands where a minuet would normally come. Its dance steps are set over a succession of unexpected chords. Prokofiev also played the movement on the piano as a recital encore.

The finale is marked Molto vivace. Prokofiev threw away his original finale and wrote this one afresh, setting himself the task of avoiding minor chords.

The original LP placed this first symphony beside Prokofiev’s Seventh, his last, completed in 1952. The Philharmonia Orchestra and Nicolai Malko played both. The First Symphony lasts fourteen minutes.