The original of this work is the incidental music for the play "Hamlet," composed between 1937 and 1938. The subject matter is Shakespeare's famous play of the same name. While numerous composers, including Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, have written music based on this play, in Prokofiev's case, recordings were only made much later, in the latter half of the 20th century, after the premiere on May 15, 1938. Of the original 10 movements, this work is an arrangement of the fourth movement, "Pantomime," for piano solo by the composer himself. Following a fanfare by brass instruments, a powerful march ensues, but beneath the characters' hearts, a maelstrom of conspiracy, sorrow, and the madness of revenge swirls.