Igor Stravinsky
Quiz Yourself About the Life and Music of
Igor Stravinsky
11.
What is the supreme achievement of Stravinsky’s Neoclassic period
(and his longest work, by far)?
Stravinsky’s opera The Rake’s Progress was composed in 1951 and is the last major work of his Neoclassic period. The libretto was written by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman. It contains some of Stravinsky’s finest music and is widely performed throughout the world. The narrative revolves around the downfall of Tom Rakewell, who abandons Anne Trulove to pursue the pleasures of London alongside Nick Shadow, revealed as the Devil. Through a series of misfortunes orchestrated by the cunning Shadow, Tom eventually finds himself confined in Bedlam, a psychiatric hospital then located in the City of London. The moral of the story underscores that the Devil always finds tasks for idle hearts, hands, and minds.
Here is a wonderful short excerpt from The Rake’s Progress. This work has always been one of my favorite operas. Have a listen!
12. What rhythmic techniques were revolutionary in The Rite of Spring?