Igor Stravinsky
(1882-1971)
Stravinsky in 1910
Firebird Suite, 1919
PROGRAM NOTES & COMMENTARY
In 1909, Sergei Diaghilev, the Russian impresario, faced a time crunch. Following the sudden demise of a crucial supporter for his endeavors, Diaghilev had to abandon his initial plans to showcase Russian opera in Paris during the spring of 1910. Consequently, he opted for the more budget-friendly artistic expression of ballet. Diaghilev founded the Ballets Russes in 1909, which would become widely regarded as the most influential ballet company of the 20th century…
Quiz yourself on facts about Sibelius
MAJOR WORKS OF STRAVINSKY
Stravinsky composed an immense amount of music in his long lifetime. Here are some of the major works involving orchestra which he completed.
BALLETS
1910 L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), for orchestra
1911 Petrushka (Petrouchka) for orchestra
1913 Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring),
for orchestra
1920 Pulcinella, for chamber orchestra and
vocal soloists
1923 Les Noces,for 4 pianos, percussion, choir
and soloists
1928 Apollon Musagète, for string orchestra
1928 Le baiser de la fée, (The Fairy's Kiss) for
orchestra
1936 Jeu de cartes, for orchestra
1944 Scènes de Ballet, for orchestra
1947 Orpheus, for chamber orchestra
1957 Agon, for chamber orchestra
ORCHESTRAL WORKS (including Concertos)
1907 Symphony in Eb
1908 Scherzo fantastique
1908 Fireworks
1917 The Song of the Nightingale
1918 Four Studies
1920 Symphonies of Wind Instruments
1921 Suite No. 2, for Small Orchestra
1924 Concerto for Piano and Winds
1925 Suite No. 1, for Small Orchestra
1929 Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
1931 Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra
1934 Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss
1938 Dumbarton Oaks, for Chamber Orchestra
1940 Symphony in C for Orchestra
1942 Danses Concertantes, for chamber orch.
1942 Circus Polka
1942 Four Norwegian Moods
1943 Ode
1944 Scherzo à la Russe, for jazz band
1945 Symphony in Three Movements
1945 Ebony Concerto, for Clarinet and jazz band
1946 Concerto in D, for String Orchestra
1955 Greeting Prelude, for Orchestra
1959 Movements, for Piano and Orchestra
1962 Eight Instrumental Miniatures
1964 Variations Aldous Huxley In Memoriam
CHORAL/ORCHESTRAL
1911 The King of the Stars
1913 Three Japanese Lyrics
1930 Symphony of Psalms
1944 Babel
1955 Canticum Sacrum
1958 Threni
1961 A Sermon, a Narrative and a Prayer
1963 Abraham and Isaac
1966 Requiem Canticles
OPERAS AND STAGE WORKS
1914 The Nightingale (Opera)
1916 Reynard (Burlesque to be sung and acted)
1918 The Soldier’s Tale
1922 Mavra (Opera Buffa)
1927 Oedipus Rex (‘Opera-Oratorio’)
1934 Persephone (‘Melodrama’)
1951 The Rake’s Progress (Opera)
1962 The Flood (‘Musical Play’)
CYS Performance History
Works by Igor Stravinsky
The following Stravinsky works have been performed by CYS since 1990:
1990 Firebird Suite (1919)
1997 Petrouchka
1998 Firebird Suite (1919)
2006 Firebird Suite (1919)
2012 Circus Polka
2017 Petrouchka
2024 Firebird Suite (1919)