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Technical Notice
| Classical Composer: | Stravinsky, Igor |
|---|---|
| Work: | The Firebird Suite |
| Year Composed: | 1910 |
| Instrumentation: | 4.4.4.4/4.3.3.1/timp.4perc/cel/3hp/pno/str |
| Publishers: |
Chester Music and Novello & Co. Edwin F. Kalmus The Edwin A. Fleisher Music Collection |
| Duration: | 00:16:00 |
| Period: | 20th Century |
| Work Category: | Orchestral |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
The ballet The Firebird (L'oiseau de feu) was devised for Dyagilev by Fokin. Music was originally commissioned from Lyadov, but delay on his part led to an invitation to Stravinsky, who had already scored for Dyagilev two movements of Les Sylphides for the 1909 Paris season. Décor was by Golovin, with costumes for the Firebird, danced by Karsavina, and for the Tsarevna by Bakst. Stravinsky started the music in November 1909 and completed it in orchestral score by May, 1910, in time for its first staging at the Paris Opera on 25th June. He later arranged three concert suites from the ballet. The second of these, written in 1919, uses a smaller orchestra than the extravagant original ballet score.
Prince Ivan captures the exotic Firebird in the magic garden of the ogre Kashchey. He releases her when she gives him one of her feathers, to be used to summon her help in moments of danger. Ivan falls in love with the beautiful Tsarevna, one of thirteen princesses held prisoner by Kashchey, whom Prince Ivan finally defeats with the help of the Firebird. In the second Suite the first dance of the Firebird is followed by the dance of the Princesses, based on Russian folk-songs. The dance of the ogre Kashchey and his subjects leads in the ballet, to the Firebird Lullaby, and the Suite ends with the rejoicing of the Finale, when the Prince and his Princess are united.
Writer: Keith Anderson
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