Stravinsky 50 - River Of Music

To mark half a century since the end of Igor Stravinsky's long and creative musical life, Radio 3 presents a river of his music. Over the course of five and a half hours discover a rich and surprising mix of 50 pieces, expertly curated and sprinkled with the insights of Stravinsky performers.

This is a unique chance to submerge yourself in Stravinsky's dramatic musical world in pieces written between 1904 and 1965. Be carried along through colourful scenes of Russian life in the powerful rhythms and poignant orchestrations of his ballets - from the Rite of Spring to Agon. Enjoy the lush harmonies of his earliest compositions, the neat symmetry, humour and grace of his tributes to past musical styles and the unexpected stillness at the heart of his choral masterpieces. Plus dip your toes into some Stravinsky-style jazz.

There will be a vast range of performers, from Stravinsky himself to the current generation, and along the course of the river, ten leading musicians give short insights into how they interpret music by this multifaceted composer. How can a violinist balance Stravinsky's rhythm with lyricism? How does a singer weave their voice in and out of intricate instrumental textures? And what techniques can a conductor use to get everyone to play Stravinsky's complex patterns in sync?

Besides selections from Stravinsky's more familiar works, we'll discover lesser-known gems in brief moments from rare stage productions, delicate arrangements, beautifully crafted songs and solo instrumental pieces. The river takes a non-chronological course, its sweep carrying us on a meandering journey across continents, between Russia, France and the USA, and through every phase of Stravinsky's composing life, creating delightful juxtapositions and intriguing transitions along the way.

You can listen with innocent ears, or discover the details of each piece as it unfolds via the Radio 3 website or finding #Stravinsky50 on social media.

Stravinsky 50: River of Music is introduced by Sarah Walker, and features the voices of conductors Sakari Oramo, Vasily Petrenko, Simon Halsey and Ben Gernon, singer Claire Booth, pianist Beatrice Rana, percussionist Colin Currie, violinist Carolin Widmann and composer Freya Waley-Cohen. Plus, a word from Igor Stravinsky himself.

A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3

Submerge yourself in Stravinsky's unique sound world with 50 of his pieces.