Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 3 + 6

Prokofiev composed his 3rd Symphony based on his thrilling opera "War and Peace". Every theme in the symphony can also be found in the opera, but the composer arranged the material in completely new combinations when transforming it into a symphony. The 6th Symphony is Prokofiev's musical reflection by a survivor on the horrors of the recently concluded Second World War. The composer was very satisfied with his work, and the reviews following its premiere in 1947 were also very positive. However, it was not long before Stalinist henchmen around Shostakovich tightened their grip again. The work fell out of favor and was branded "formalist". It did not reappear in the programs of Soviet orchestras until years after Stalin's death.