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 • Danse de l'Oiseau de feu – Capture de l'Oiseau de feu par Ivan TsarévitchL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910)
Tableau 1 • 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 • 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 • 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 • Disparition du palais et des sortilèges de Kachtcheï, animation des chevaliers pétrifiés, allégresse généraleL'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (1910)
Tableau 2 • 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 soirPétrouchka (Petrushka) (1910-1911, rev. 1947)
Tableau IV. Fête populaire de la semaine grasse, vers le soirValery 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, Köln - 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, Köln - 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 soldatHistoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918)
1. Marche du soldatWilliam Preucil (Violin), Pierre Boulez
The Cleveland Orchestra℗ 2001 - Stravinsky • Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918) • 9. Marche triomphale du diableHistoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale), Concert Suite (1918)
9. Marche triomphale du diableWilliam 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 Ensemble1977, London, BBC Maida Vale Studios
- Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947) • Tableau I (Prologue) • 1. Naissance d’ApollonApollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947)
Tableau I (Prologue) • 1. Naissance d’ApollonMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947) • Tableau II • 8. Pas de deuxApollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947)
Tableau II • 8. Pas de deuxMasaaki Suzuki, Tapiola SinfoniettaApril 2015, Espoo, Tapiola Concert Hall - Stravinsky • Apollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947) • Tableau II • 10. ApothéoseApollon musagète (1928, rev. 1947)
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, Genf, 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 (1957) • Part IV • InterludeAgon (1957)
Part IV • InterludeGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon (1957) • Part IV • 1. Pas-de-DeuxAgon (1957)
Part IV • 1. Pas-de-DeuxGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon (1957) • Part IV • CodaAgon (1957)
Part IV • CodaGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon (1957) • Part IV • 2. Four DuosAgon (1957)
Part IV • 2. Four DuosGustavo Gimeno, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg2017 - 2018, Luxembourg, Philharmonie Luxembourg - Stravinsky • Agon (1957) • Part IV • 3. Four TriosAgon (1957)
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.