Main content

Celebrating Stravinsky

Russian composer Igor Stravinsky died 50 years ago. Is his influence still felt? We speak to musicians and performers about what Stravinsky means to them, and to music.

Russian composer Igor Stravinsky died 50 years ago this year. Yet his influence is still felt today, whether it's the pounding rhythms of The Rite of Spring or the musical borrowings of The Rake's Progress. Radio 3's Kate Molleson explains how Stravinsky changed the musical landscape, and just why we should be celebrating a composer born nearly 140 years ago.

Aurora Orchestra are preparing for their appearance at this year's 91热爆 Proms. And the preparations involve memorising The Firebird, to play on stage without sheet music. Conductor Nicholas Collon and bassoonist Amy Harman discuss what memorising adds to the performance, and whether learning Stravinsky has any extra challenges.

Dancer Francesca Velicu earned an Olivier Award for dancing the role of the Chosen One in Pina Bausch's version of The Rite of Spring at English National Ballet. How does it feel to dance to the death?

Conductor Sir Simon Rattle has had a lifelong love affair with Igor Stravinsky. He tells John Wilson how he got hooked at an early age, and recommends a playlist for Stravinsky beginners.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Sofie Vilcins

Main image: Igor Stravinsky at the 91热爆 in 1965.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 11 Aug 2021 19:15
91热爆 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Paradise, John Boyne, Stuart Semple

Next

The Courier, Deceit, 2.22 A Ghost Story review

See all episodes from Front Row

91热爆 2021 Proms which feature works by Stravinsky

Stravinsky's Pulcinella performed by the 91热爆 Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Martyn Brabbins on 06 August 2021 is available on the 91热爆 Sounds.
Stravinsky From Memory: the Aurora Orchestra, cond: Nicholas Collon perform the Firebird Suite without scores. At 20.00 on 11 August 2021 on 91热爆 R3 and 91热爆 Sounds.聽聽
Vladimir Jurowskia conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform Stravinsky's Jeu de cartes at 19.30 on 12 August 2021 on Live on 91热爆 R3 and on 91热爆 Sounds.
Experimental composer and turntablist Shiva Feshareki joins conductor Sofi Jeannin and the 91热爆 Singers to perform聽Stravinsky's Tres sacrae cantones - Illumina nos at 19.30聽 on 19 August聽2021 live on 91热爆 R3 and on 91热爆 Sounds.
Sir Simon Rattle聽 conducts the London Symphony Orchestra: Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Symphony in C and Symphony in Three Movements聽 Live on 91热爆 R3 at 1930 on 22 August 2021, and on 91热爆 Sounds and the 91热爆 iPlayer.聽 聽 聽聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽聽Main image: Igor Stravinsky at 91热爆 in 1965



Broadcast

  • Wed 11 Aug 2021 19:15
    91热爆 Radio 4

91热爆 Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast

  • Front Row

    Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music