Igor Stravinsky: Symphonies Of Wind Instruments (1920)

Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Reinbert De Leeuw, conductor

Igor Stravinsky's "Symphonies of Wind for Instruments", a piece he composed in 1920 in memory of Claude Debussy. It is the last major work in his characteristic Russian style.

He had just moved his family from Biarritz to Brittany, but spent much time in Paris composing. Gabrille Chanel let him use her house in the suburbs, and the Pleyel company let him use a studio in their piano warehouse.

the famed conductor Serge Koussevitzky conducted one of the first performances of "Symphonies", rather disasterously, and Stravinsky later said "Koussevitzky executed the work, in firing-squad fashion".

Igor Stravinsky (1882 - 1971): Symphonies of Wind Instruments

at the end is a little clip of Robert Craft speaking of the letter he wrote to Stravinsky concerning "Symphonies"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1920
• Leeuw
• Stravinsky
• Symphonies

[afffred]

the best composer of the 20th century in my eyes

[science454]

Surprisingly accessible, uplifting even.

There's always something extra in a Stravinsky composition, something that leads you to hearing his compositions again. These performers look like they are very much into the piece, and seem to be enjoying it whilst retaining the required intensity.

In other words, excellent.

[Tengent]

Could someone recommend me some more music like at 0:50? I only ever hear polytonal? stuff like that in old television scores.

[sumkewlgurl]

interesting. the title says 1920 which is when the first 'draft' was composed. but the instrumentation of this particular video/performance is actually the rewritten score from 1947.

[Shinbasher]

This is one of my favorite pieces! Stravinsky wrote this for the passing of his friend and mentor, Claude Debussy! It was written in a Panikhida funeral style (Russian Orthodox). If you listen really hard, you can hear the beginning of the piece paying before it even starts when it it is supposed to be silent with the conductor looking at the orchestra. That's funny!

[MrLeovioletto]

@afffred in your eyes? or in your ears:)

[isherwood]

@fabianidhesona Everybody knows? What about Les noces, Threni, Agon, Oedipus Rex? To name but a few... Innovation is not the sole measure of excellence. Some people regurgitate the tired, reactionary criticism of Boulez et al that somehow Stravinsky "let us down" with his neo-classicism. Of course, these days, Boulez makes a tidy profit from his recordings of those same works. As for Bambi, even the least informed music "lover" is aware of Stravinsky's statement, "Music means nothing".

[classiccandle27]

Yes, excellent piece of music. I like the main theme by the highpitched clarinet~

btw, the cor anglais player is really hot ~~

[RediForKing]

Whenever I feel sad or depressed I listen to Stravinsky and it heals me every time. Thank you Stravinsky for saving my life.

[karinleitner]

Thanks for this impeccable, clear and stong performance. It helps me with practising this piece for the Musikverein Vienna.

[Rickeeey1]

@fabianidhesona

Since when is a composer not allowed to do whatever he/she wants to do?

[fabianidhesona]

@Rickeeey1 because this piece has no innovation at all. its just something that could work well for only movies like Bambi or Snow White. every body knows that Stravinsky lost his magic after his firsts ballets.