Stravinsky And The Symphony

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

2016

A Russian In Paris

20160627

Donald Macleod explores Igor Stravinsky's life through his five symphonies - from Russian folk melodies to American cool. Today: his Symphonies of Wind Instruments.

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies.

The week begins with Stravinsky's return to France after spending the First World War in exile in Switzerland. As he dazzles and confuses Paris audiences with a succession of eclectic masterpieces, the composer's personal life takes a turbulent turn, as Stravinsky embarks on affairs with first the fashion designer Coco Chanel, then Vera Sudeikina, who would become his consort for the rest of his life.

Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments

The Nash Ensemble

Simon Rattle, conductor

Stravinsky: Mavra (We've Never Had Such Perfect Weather; Days and Nights of Working)

Jona Carlye, soprano (Parasha)

Helen Watts, contralto (Her mother)

Monica Sinclair, contralto (Their neighbour)

Kenneth McDonald, tenor (Vassily)

Orchestra of the Suisse Romande

Ernest Ansermet, conductor

Stravinsky: Octet

Eastman Wind Ensemble

Mark Scatterday, conductor

Stravinsky: Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments

Steven Osborne, piano

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Ilan Volkov, conductor.

Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments.

2016

Psalms And Fingers

20160628

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of Stravinsky's life through his symphonies. Today: his unique, darkly-scored Symphony of Psalms and dazzling Violin Concerto.

Despite having been brought up in the Russian Orthodox faith, by the mid-1920s Stravinsky hadn't written a note of religious music. This changed dramatically in the mid-1920s, as - perhaps spurred by guilt over his messy personal life - he turned back to the Orthodox Christianity of his youth. This would culminate in one of the 20th century's most distinctive and powerful sacred concert works - Stravinsky's 'Symphony of Psalms'.

Stravinsky: Credo (Simvol veri)

Gregg Smith Singers

Robert Craft, conductor

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms

Prague Philharmonic Choir

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Karel Ancerl, conductor

Stravinsky: Tarantella (Suite Italienne)

Maximilian Hornung, cello; Gerhard Vielhaber, piano

Stravinsky: Violin Concerto

Gil Shaham, violin

BBC Symphony Orchestra

David Robertson, conductor

Stravinsky: Ave Maria (Bogodoritse devo)

Robert Craft, conductor.

Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's unique, darkly scored Symphony of Psalms.

2016

A Precociously Russian Symphony

20160629

Continuing his exploration of Stravinsky's symphonies, Donald Macleod takes us back to the early 1900s - and the precocious Symphony in E flat, dubbed by the young composer 'Symphony no. 1'!

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies --which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies.

Today: an interlude, as Donald Macleod delves further back in time to explore the young Stravinsky's early life and Symphony in E Flat - somewhat presumptuously titled 'Symphony no.1' by the twenty-something composer.

Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (1st mvt)

Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Igor Stravinsky, conductor

Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (2nd mvt)

Stravinsky: Faun And Shepherdess, Op 2

Lucy Shelton, mezzo

The Cleveland Orchestra

Oliver Knussen, conductor

Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (3rd and 4th mvt)

Igor Stravinsky, conductor.

Donald Macleod explores precocious and Russian-inflected Symphony No 1.

2016

Adieu Europe, Hello America

20160630

Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's life through his symphonies. Today: Stravinsky bids Europe farewell at the outbreak of war - and composes his effervescent Symphony in C.

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies.

In today's episode Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's emigration to the USA in 1940, as Europe tore itself apart. He explores a number of works Stravinsky wrote for his new home, including a complete performance of the composer's most 'classical' symphony - his Symphony in C.

John Stafford Smith, arr. Stravinsky: The Star-Spangled Banner

Stravinsky: Concerto in E flat (Dumbarton Oaks), arr piano duet

Alexei Lubimov, Slava Poprugun (piano duet)

Stravinsky: Symphony in C

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Simon Rattle, conductor

Stravinsky: Tango

Kathryn Stott, piano.

Donald Macleod focuses on Stravinsky's effervescent Symphony in C.

2016

05 LAST

Liberation

20160701

Donald Macleod ends this week exploring Stravinsky's life through his symphonies with the story of the turbulent Symphony in Three Movements, his first major American work.

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies.

To end the week, Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of a work the composer called his 'Victory' symphony - written in the 1940s as the Allied troops gradually drove back the Axis forces.

Stravinsky: Scherzo

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
2016	01	A Russian In Paris	20160627	Donald Macleod explores Igor Stravinsky's life through his five symphonies - from Russian folk melodies to American cool. Today: his Symphonies of Wind Instruments. He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies. The week begins with Stravinsky's return to France after spending the First World War in exile in Switzerland. As he dazzles and confuses Paris audiences with a succession of eclectic masterpieces, the composer's personal life takes a turbulent turn, as Stravinsky embarks on affairs with first the fashion designer Coco Chanel, then Vera Sudeikina, who would become his consort for the rest of his life. Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments The Nash Ensemble Simon Rattle, conductor Stravinsky: Mavra (We've Never Had Such Perfect Weather; Days and Nights of Working) Jona Carlye, soprano (Parasha) Helen Watts, contralto (Her mother) Monica Sinclair, contralto (Their neighbour) Kenneth McDonald, tenor (Vassily) Orchestra of the Suisse Romande Ernest Ansermet, conductor Stravinsky: Octet Eastman Wind Ensemble Mark Scatterday, conductor Stravinsky: Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments Steven Osborne, piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Ilan Volkov, conductor. Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments.
2016	02	Psalms And Fingers	20160628	Donald Macleod continues his exploration of Stravinsky's life through his symphonies. Today: his unique, darkly-scored Symphony of Psalms and dazzling Violin Concerto. He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies. Despite having been brought up in the Russian Orthodox faith, by the mid-1920s Stravinsky hadn't written a note of religious music. This changed dramatically in the mid-1920s, as - perhaps spurred by guilt over his messy personal life - he turned back to the Orthodox Christianity of his youth. This would culminate in one of the 20th century's most distinctive and powerful sacred concert works - Stravinsky's 'Symphony of Psalms'. Stravinsky: Credo (Simvol veri) Gregg Smith Singers Robert Craft, conductor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms Prague Philharmonic Choir Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Karel Ancerl, conductor Stravinsky: Tarantella (Suite Italienne) Maximilian Hornung, cello; Gerhard Vielhaber, piano Stravinsky: Violin Concerto Gil Shaham, violin BBC Symphony Orchestra David Robertson, conductor Stravinsky: Ave Maria (Bogodoritse devo) Robert Craft, conductor. Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's unique, darkly scored Symphony of Psalms.
2016	03	A Precociously Russian Symphony	20160629	Continuing his exploration of Stravinsky's symphonies, Donald Macleod takes us back to the early 1900s - and the precocious Symphony in E flat, dubbed by the young composer 'Symphony no. 1'! He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies --which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies. Today: an interlude, as Donald Macleod delves further back in time to explore the young Stravinsky's early life and Symphony in E Flat - somewhat presumptuously titled 'Symphony no.1' by the twenty-something composer. Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (1st mvt) Columbia Symphony Orchestra Igor Stravinsky, conductor Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (2nd mvt) Stravinsky: Faun And Shepherdess, Op 2 Lucy Shelton, mezzo The Cleveland Orchestra Oliver Knussen, conductor Stravinsky: Symphony No 1 in E flat, Op 1 (3rd and 4th mvt) Igor Stravinsky, conductor. Donald Macleod explores precocious and Russian-inflected Symphony No 1.
2016	04	Adieu Europe, Hello America	20160630	Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's life through his symphonies. Today: Stravinsky bids Europe farewell at the outbreak of war - and composes his effervescent Symphony in C. He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies. In today's episode Donald Macleod explores Stravinsky's emigration to the USA in 1940, as Europe tore itself apart. He explores a number of works Stravinsky wrote for his new home, including a complete performance of the composer's most 'classical' symphony - his Symphony in C. John Stafford Smith, arr. Stravinsky: The Star-Spangled Banner Stravinsky: Concerto in E flat (Dumbarton Oaks), arr piano duet Alexei Lubimov, Slava Poprugun (piano duet) Stravinsky: Symphony in C Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Simon Rattle, conductor Stravinsky: Tango Kathryn Stott, piano. Donald Macleod focuses on Stravinsky's effervescent Symphony in C.
2016	05 LAST	Liberation	20160701	Donald Macleod ends this week exploring Stravinsky's life through his symphonies with the story of the turbulent Symphony in Three Movements, his first major American work. He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an 退migr退 in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies. To end the week, Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of a work the composer called his 'Victory' symphony - written in the 1940s as the Allied troops gradually drove back the Axis forces. Stravinsky: Scherzo