Igor Stravinsky

Question 1

Information About Him

Answer 1

• (1882-1971)
• born in Oranienbaum, Russia (near St. Petersburg)
• father was an opera singer, mother was a singer and pianist
• as a child, had lessons in piano and harmony
• entered law school, but decided to pursue music instead
• married Katrina Nossenko
• commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev to write ballets
• some of his ballet writing was shocking
• went to Switzerland in 1914 because of the war
• went to Paris in 1920
• traveled as a conductor and a performer, including to the USA
• after his first wife died, he married Vera de Bosset
• became an American citizen sometime in 1940
• became friends with American composer and conductor Robert Craft
• died in New York City in 1971

Question 2

His Style and Contributions

Answer 2

• early years (1882-1914)
• Russian nationalism
• rich orchestration
• primitive style
• dissonant harmony
• transitional years (1914-1920)
• wrote more intimate works (for smaller orchestras)
• used elements from the Classical style
• middle years (1920-1954)
• neo-Classical style
• final years (1954-1971)
• used the twelve-tone method of Schoenberg
• ballet: The Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring (Le sacre du printemps), Pulcinella, The Card Party, Agon
• orchestral works: Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Ebony Concerto
• choral works: Symphony of Psalms, Persephone, Threni, Canticum Sacrum, Requiem, Canticles
• staged/theatrical: The Nightingale, The Wedding, The Soldier’s Tale, The Flood
• operas: Mavra, The Rake’s Progress
• opera/oratorio: Oedipus Rex

Question 3

Important Work: Petrushka

Answer 3

• ballet from 1911
• choreographer: Michel Fokine
• story was written by Stravinsky and Alexandre Benois
• large orchestra including a piano
• characters: showman, 3 puppets
• setting: St. Petersburg Russia, 1830’s

Question 4

Plot of Petrushka

Answer 4

• 1st tableau: large puppet theater entertaining crowds at a local fairground during the Shrovetide festival
• 2nd tableau (in Petrushka’s room): he’s upset because he loves the ballerina, another one of the puppets, but she doesn’t love him back
• 3rd tableau (in the Moor’s room): ballerina enters, the Moor is also in love with the ballerina, Petrushka enters, the Moor starts chasing him away
• 4th tableau (back at the fairgrounds): crowds are having fun, the 3 puppets appear, the Moor is still chasing Petrushka, the Moor kills Petrushka with his saber, showman has called the scene, showman shows the police officer it’s just a puppet, the crowds leaves the scene, the showman is haunted by the ghost of Petrushka

Question 5

Music of First Tableau of Petrushka

Answer 5

• Part 1: “The Crowd”
• vivace
• ABACABA form
• section A: features pentatonic melody introduced by the flute with changing time signatures and syncopation
• section B: uses a Russian folk song, a narrow range, and a homophonic texture
• section A returns, modified with brass instruments
• section C: describes a hurdy-gurdy player, uses a dance tune in 3/4 time with clarinets and another dance tune in 2/4 time with flutes
• ABA returns
• Part 2: “The Arrival of the Showman”
• slow
• in free form
• there’s a flute cadenza to bring the puppets to life
• soft chromatic accompaniment played by winds, strings, and harp
• Part 3: “The Puppets Come to Life”
• allegro
• ABABA form
• section A: Russian dance featuring the piano and xylophone
• section B: folk song featuring oboe and strings and accents and ostinato
• ABA return
• ends with a long trumpet note