Symphony No. 4 in C major (original and revised versions)
Sergei Prokofiev
Work background
Researched classical background
Prokofiev's Fourth Symphony grew from musical ideas related to his ballet The Prodigal Son. Koussevitzky secured premiere rights for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and conducted the original score in 1930. In 1947 Prokofiev returned to it, expanding and transforming the material so extensively that he assigned a new opus number. Both versions remain performable, with different proportions and orchestral weight.
Inspiration and creative background
Material associated with The Prodigal Son provided a starting point for the symphony.
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Prokofiev Fourth Symphony, original version
1929-30 original Op.47, 1947 Op.112 reworking, Prodigal Son material and BSO premiere-rights agreement | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Check whether a performance uses the compact Op.47 score or the expanded Op.112 revision.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1929-1930
Original Op.47 composed 1929-30; substantially revised as Op.112 in 1947.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Symphony No.4, Op.47 (1930); Symphony No.4, Op.112 (1947 revision)
Date, title and version notes
This is one work family with two substantially different versions; a performance or recording must identify its version.
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Prokofiev Fourth Symphony, original version
1929-30 original Op.47, 1947 Op.112 reworking, Prodigal Son material and BSO premiere-rights agreement | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Boston Symphony Orchestra: Prokofiev Fourth Symphony, original version
1929-30 original Op.47, 1947 Op.112 reworking, Prodigal Son material and BSO premiere-rights agreement | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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