Prokofiev composed his first piano concerto while at the Conservatory, in 1911 and 1912, and premiered it himself on August 7, 1912. The concerto is a single movement divided into clearly marked sections. Prokofiev could in this way keep the typical fast-slow-fast structure of the usual three-movement concerto, yet use some of the same thematic elements throughout all of his sections. Throughout the work, Prokofiev demonstrates his penchant for bright, percussive textures. The glockenspiel takes on a uniquely soloistic role, often teaming up with the piano to sparkle above the orchestral fray. With its bravura solos and daring harmonies, Prokofiev's first 'mature' composition announces him as a musical force to be reckoned with.
