Prokofiev: On the Way

“I’m beginning this entry. I can call it a diary.” These are the first lines from Sergei Prokofiev’s diary, written on the 3rd of September, 1907. Prokofiev kept his diary during 26 years, until his return to the USSR. During all these years of the great composer's life journey the diary was his most loyal companion. Endless concert tours, new apartments, and new meetings – the whole rich life of Prokofiev is described on these pages by himself. Many years have passed since Sergei Prokofiev’s death, and the life of contemporary touring musicians has not changed much, only it has become faster than in Prokofiev’s times. Now they give twice as many concerts and make three times as many plane and train journeys. Modern musicians seldom keep diaries.