Essential Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring caused a riot at its 1913 premiere in Paris. If Igor Stravinsky had composed nothing else, he'd have still gone down in musical history. But he wrote much more...
Read more…- Stravinsky • Symphony in E flat major op. 1 • II. Scherzo. AllegrettoSymphony in E flat major op. 1
II. Scherzo. AllegrettoAntal Doráti, Detroit Symphony Orchestra℗ 1986 - Stravinsky • Scherzo fantastique op. 3
- Stravinsky • Feu d'artifice (Fireworks), A fantasy for large orchestra op. 4 • Feu d'artifice (Fireworks)Feu d'artifice (Fireworks), A fantasy for large orchestra op. 4
Feu d'artifice (Fireworks)Riccardo Chailly, Lucerne Festival Orchestra℗ 2017 - Stravinsky • Chant funèbre (Funeral Song) op. 5 (1908)Chant funèbre (Funeral Song) op. 5 (1908)Riccardo Chailly, Lucerne Festival Orchestra℗ 2018
- Stravinsky • L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910) • Tableau 1 • 2. Danse de l'Oiseau de feu - Capture de l'Oiseau de feu par Ivan TsarévitchL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910)
Tableau 1 • 2. Danse de l'Oiseau de feu - Capture de l'Oiseau de feu par Ivan TsarévitchCharles Dutoit, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal℗ 1986 - Stravinsky • L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910) • Tableau 1 • 5. Lever du jour - Palais de Kachtcheï - Carillon Féerique, Les monstres-gardiens, Capture d'Ivan Tsarévitc - Arrivée de Kachtcheï l'Immortel - Dialogue - Intercession des princesses - L’Oiseau de feu - Danse de la suite de Kachtcheï - Danse infernaleL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910)
Tableau 1 • 5. Lever du jour - Palais de Kachtcheï - Carillon Féerique, Les monstres-gardiens, Capture d'Ivan Tsarévitc - Arrivée de Kachtcheï l'Immortel - Dialogue - Intercession des princesses - L’Oiseau de feu - Danse de la suite de Kachtcheï - Danse infernaleCharles Dutoit, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal℗ 1986 - Stravinsky • L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910) • Tableau 2 • 1. Disparition du palais et des sortilèges de Kachtcheï, animation des chevaliers pétrifiés, allégresse généraleL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910)
Tableau 2 • 1. Disparition du palais et des sortilèges de Kachtcheï, animation des chevaliers pétrifiés, allégresse généraleCharles Dutoit, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal℗ 1986 - Stravinsky • Pétrouchka (Petrushka) (1910-1911, rev. 1947) • Tableau IV. Fête populaire de la semaine grasse, vers le soir (The Shrovetide Fair, toward evening)Pétrouchka (Petrushka) (1910-1911, rev. 1947)
Tableau IV. Fête populaire de la semaine grasse, vers le soir (The Shrovetide Fair, toward evening)Valery Gergiev, Mariinsky Orchestra℗ 2018 - Stravinsky • Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) (1910-1913) • Part I: L'adoration de la terre (Adoration of the Earth)Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) (1910-1913)
Part I: L'adoration de la terre (Adoration of the Earth)Teodor Currentzis, MusicAeternaOctober 2013, Cologne - Stravinsky • Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) (1910-1913) • Part II: Le sacrifice (The Sacrifice)Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) (1910-1913)
Part II: Le sacrifice (The Sacrifice)Teodor Currentzis, MusicAeternaOctober 2013, Cologne - Stravinsky • Le Rossignol (The Nightingale) (1914) • Act II • 8. 'Akh! Sérdtse dóbroe' (Song of the Nightingale: The Nightingale, The Emperor, Courtiers, The Chamberlain)Le Rossignol (The Nightingale) (1914)
Act II • 8. 'Akh! Sérdtse dóbroe' (Song of the Nightingale: The Nightingale, The Emperor, Courtiers, The Chamberlain)Mojca Erdmann (Soprano), Evgeny Akimov (Tenor), Marina Prudenskaya (Mezzo-soprano), Vladimir Vaneev (Bass), Tuomas Pursio (Bass-baritone), Fyodor Kuznetsov (Bass), Mayram Sokolova (Mezzo-soprano), Joachim Streckfuss (Tenor), Hee-Kwang Lee (Bass), Jukka-Pekka Saraste
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, WDR Rundfunkchor KölnMay 2012, Köln, Philharmonie Köln - Stravinsky • Les Noces (The Wedding) (1914-1915, rev. 1923) • Tableau 1. La tresse (At the Bride's)Les Noces (The Wedding) (1914-1915, rev. 1923)
Tableau 1. La tresse (At the Bride's)Nadine Koutcher (Soprano), Natalya Buklaga (Mezzo-soprano), Stanislav Leontieff (Tenor), Vasiliy Korostelev (Bass), Teodor Currentzis
MusicAeterna℗ 2016 - Stravinsky • Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918) • 1. Marche du soldat (The Soldier's March)Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918)
1. Marche du soldat (The Soldier's March)William Preucil (Violin), Pierre Boulez
The Cleveland Orchestra℗ 2001 - Stravinsky • Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918) • 9. Marche triomphale du diable (The Triumphal March of the Devil)Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918)
9. Marche triomphale du diable (The Triumphal March of the Devil)William Preucil (Violin), Pierre Boulez
The Cleveland Orchestra℗ 2001 - Stravinsky • Pieces for Solo Clarinet (1919) • 3. MM = 160
- Stravinsky • Pulcinella Suite (1922) • 1. SinfoniaPulcinella Suite (1922)
1. SinfoniaMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Pulcinella Suite (1922) • 2. SerenataPulcinella Suite (1922)
2. SerenataMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Pulcinella Suite (1922) • 4. TarantellaPulcinella Suite (1922)
4. TarantellaMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Symphonies d'instruments à vent (Symphonies of Wind Instruments) (1920, rev. 1947)Symphonies d'instruments à vent (Symphonies of Wind Instruments) (1920, rev. 1947)Sir Simon Rattle, Nash Ensemble of London1977, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios
- Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928) • Tableau I (Prologue) • 1. Naissance d’ApollonApollon musagète (1928)
Tableau I (Prologue) • 1. Naissance d’ApollonMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928) • Tableau II • 8. Pas de deuxApollon musagète (1928)
Tableau II • 8. Pas de deuxMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928) • Tableau II • 10. ApothéoseApollon musagète (1928)
Tableau II • 10. ApothéoseMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra • I. PrestoCapriccio for Piano and Orchestra
I. PrestoLiisa Pohjola (Piano), Sakari Oramo
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra℗ 2013 - Stravinsky • Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major • I. ToccataConcerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major
I. ToccataIlya Gringolts (Violin), Dima Slobodeniouk
Orquesta Sinfónica de GaliciaApril 2017, A Coruña, Palacio de la Ópera - Stravinsky • Jeu de cartes (Card Game) • 1. Première donne
- Stravinsky • Concerto for Orchestra in E flat major “Dumbarton Oaks” • I. Tempo giustoConcerto for Orchestra in E flat major
I. Tempo giustoSir Roger Norrington, Zürcher Kammerorchester℗ 2012 - Stravinsky • Circus Polka for a Young Elephant (1942) (Orchestral version)Circus Polka for a Young Elephant (1942) (Orchestral version)Neeme Järvi, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande1993 - 1994, Geneva, Victoria Hall
- Stravinsky • Scherzo à la Russe
- Stravinsky • Ebony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945) • I. Allegro moderatoEbony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945)
I. Allegro moderatoMichael Collins (Clarinet), Sir Simon Rattle
London Sinfonietta℗ 1987 - Stravinsky • Ebony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945) • II. AndanteEbony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945)
II. AndanteMichael Collins (Clarinet), Sir Simon Rattle
London Sinfonietta℗ 1987 - Stravinsky • Ebony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945) • III. Moderato - Con motoEbony Concerto for Jazz Orchestra (1945)
III. Moderato - Con motoMichael Collins (Clarinet), Sir Simon Rattle
London Sinfonietta℗ 1987 - Stravinsky • The Rake's Progress (1951) • Act I • Scene 1. 'Here I stand … Since it is not by merit' (Rakewell)The Rake's Progress (1951)
Act I • Scene 1. 'Here I stand … Since it is not by merit' (Rakewell)Jayne West (Soprano), Wendy White (Mezzo-soprano), Jon Garrison (Tenor), John Cheek (Bass-baritone), Shirley Love (Mezzo-soprano), Arthur Woodley (Baritone), Melvin Lowery (Tenor), Jeffrey Johnson (Bass), Robert Craft
Orchestra of St. Luke's, Gregg Smith SingersMay 1993, Purchase, The Performing Arts Center - Stravinsky • The Rake's Progress (1951) • Act I • Scene 2. 'Love, too frequently betrayed' (Rakewell)The Rake's Progress (1951)
Act I • Scene 2. 'Love, too frequently betrayed' (Rakewell)Jayne West (Soprano), Wendy White (Mezzo-soprano), Jon Garrison (Tenor), John Cheek (Bass-baritone), Shirley Love (Mezzo-soprano), Arthur Woodley (Baritone), Melvin Lowery (Tenor), Jeffrey Johnson (Bass), Robert Craft
Orchestra of St. Luke's, Gregg Smith SingersMay 1993, Purchase, The Performing Arts Center - Stravinsky • The Rake's Progress (1951) • Act I • Scene 3. 'No word from Tom … Quietly, night' (Anne)The Rake's Progress (1951)
Act I • Scene 3. 'No word from Tom … Quietly, night' (Anne)Jayne West (Soprano), Wendy White (Mezzo-soprano), Jon Garrison (Tenor), John Cheek (Bass-baritone), Shirley Love (Mezzo-soprano), Arthur Woodley (Baritone), Melvin Lowery (Tenor), Jeffrey Johnson (Bass), Robert Craft
Orchestra of St. Luke's, Gregg Smith SingersMay 1993, Purchase, The Performing Arts Center - Stravinsky • The Rake's Progress (1951) • Act I • Scene 3. 'My father! Can I desert him … I go, I go to him' (Anne)The Rake's Progress (1951)
Act I • Scene 3. 'My father! Can I desert him … I go, I go to him' (Anne)Jayne West (Soprano), Wendy White (Mezzo-soprano), Jon Garrison (Tenor), John Cheek (Bass-baritone), Shirley Love (Mezzo-soprano), Arthur Woodley (Baritone), Melvin Lowery (Tenor), Jeffrey Johnson (Bass), Robert Craft
Orchestra of St. Luke's, Gregg Smith SingersMay 1993, Purchase, The Performing Arts Center - Stravinsky • Agon • Part IV • InterludeAgon
Part IV • InterludeGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon • Part IV • 1. Pas-de-DeuxAgon
Part IV • 1. Pas-de-DeuxGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon • Part IV • 1b. CodaAgon
Part IV • 1b. CodaGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon • Part IV • 2. Four DuosAgon
Part IV • 2. Four DuosGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon • Part IV • 3. Four TriosAgon
Part IV • 3. Four TriosGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Elegy for J.F.K.Elegy for J.F.K.John Shirley-Quirk (Baritone), Pierre Boulez
Ensemble Intercontemporain℗ 1982 - Stravinsky • The Owl and the Pussy Cat (1966) • The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to seaThe Owl and the Pussy Cat (1966)
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to seaAdrienne Albert (Soprano), Robert Craft (Piano)℗ 1967
Listen to the first and final tracks in this playlist – the music couldn't be more different. The early Symphony in E flat could be by his teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov, while The Owl and the Pussy Cat is a twelve-tone ditty for his wife, Vera, based on Edward Lear's nonsense poem.
"A good composer does not imitate; he steals." Stravinsky adopted a number of compositional "skins" throughout his life but also pushed boundaries. The Firebird draws on Rimsky's glittering orchestral palette, but it was The Rite that set him on a new path, its jagged rhythms and pulsating energy still have the power to shock. There were different phases and influences – jazz, neoclassical, serial – where his music absorbed radically different sounds.