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)