Igor Stravinsky Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

karuta gameIgor Stravinsky11rank/position

Stravinsky: Jeu de cartes – Igor Stravinsky, direttore; Berliner Philarmoniker (Berlin, 1938)

This is a ballet score commissioned by the manager of the American Ballet, the predecessor of the New York City Ballet.

It is also known as ‘Card Game.’ It depicts a game of poker played with playing cards, and the performance lasts about 22 minutes.

Circus PolkaIgor Stravinsky12rank/position

Circus Polka / I. Stravinsky — Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra

Would you like to listen to an original wind band piece by a classical master? That would be Igor Stravinsky’s Circus Polka.

The full title is actually Circus Polka: For a Young Elephant, but it’s often shortened to simply Circus Polka.

It was written for a ballet for elephants, and it’s said that elephants wearing tutus actually danced to it.

Although it isn’t performed very often today, recordings remain—for example, by the professional wind ensemble Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, as in the video introduced here, as well as an orchestral version conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Wind ensemble performance is a relatively young format that has developed over the past hundred years, yet we still have wind band works by masters like Stravinsky.

Serenade in A majorIgor Stravinsky13rank/position

Stravinsky: Serenade in A for Piano, K44: I. Hymne

Igor Stravinsky, an innovative composer who defined the 20th century.

His piano work Serenade in A, composed in 1925, is a piece with a distinctive sonority.

Designed for gramophone recording so that each movement would fit on one side of a record, it consists of four movements influenced by modern classical and neoclassical styles.

Its unique musical language—interweaving complex rhythms, fragmentary melodies, and nontraditional harmonies—can be experienced in the composer’s own performances as a pianist.

Experience this work in recordings and feel for yourself how his music revolutionized 20th-century musical thought.

TangoIgor Stravinsky14rank/position

Igor Stravinsky – Tango (audio + sheet music)

Tango (1940) by Igor Stravinsky, one of the defining composers of the 20th century, was originally written for piano but later became beloved in various instrumental arrangements.

Composed after the Russian-born composer emigrated to the United States, this piece is a masterpiece that blends romantic warmth with a modern allure.

Built on a tango rhythm, it deftly expresses feelings of solitude, longing, and unease, and its skillful use of repetition resonates deeply with listeners.

It’s a work I recommend not only to piano enthusiasts but to a broad range of music lovers.

A scene from a balletIgor Stravinsky15rank/position

Stravinsky – Scènes de Ballet – Rozhdestvensky

A masterpiece that combines overwhelming power with elegance.

Composed in 1944, this piece was originally written for a Broadway revue but was later completed as an independent ballet work.

Consisting of 11 movements and running about 16 minutes, the music is crafted with meticulous attention to the dynamics of dance.

It employs innovative rhythmic and harmonic techniques, characterized by syncopation and distinctive counterpoint.

At its 1948 London premiere, with choreography by Frederick Ashton, it received high praise from critics.

Highly recommended for those seeking a fusion of music and physical expression.

Finale from the ballet suite The FirebirdIgor Stravinsky16rank/position

The Firebird: Suite – VII. Finale

The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky is a one-act, two-scene ballet based on Russian folk tales.

Its premiere took place in 1910 at the Paris Opéra.

It is said that Osamu Tezuka, after seeing the ballet The Firebird, was inspired to later create his famous work Phoenix.

Finale from The Firebird ballet suiteIgor Stravinsky17rank/position

Stravinsky: Finale – Suite from The Firebird / Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel

The monumental finale of the landmark ballet by Igor Stravinsky—celebrated as one of the most innovative composers of the 20th century—is a masterpiece that lets you fully savor the allure of an irregular 7/4 meter.

Based on a Russian folktale, this movement crowns the story’s climax: it begins with a quiet horn solo, then gradually brings in the full orchestra, building toward a moving, triumphant conclusion.

Premiered at the Paris Opéra in June 1910, the work was later reorchestrated into a suite and continues to be loved around the world today.

The vibrant energy of the 7/4 meter, expressing the joy of the characters freed by the defeat of the evil sorcerer, brims with festive brilliance befitting a victory celebration, making it an excellent introduction to classical music and a perfect recommendation for anyone eager to experience the excitement of irregular rhythms.

The Firebird: Ballet Suite (1945 version)Igor Stravinsky18rank/position

Igor Stravinsky – 1945 Suite from The Firebird, K010 (Score-Video)

It’s a masterpiece that stands as a towering pillar of classical music.

Beginning with a fantastical introduction, it unfolds through the mysterious Dance of the Firebird, the graceful Round of the Princesses, the scene of the evil sorcerer Kashchei, and culminates in a majestic finale.

Based on Russian folklore, the music is richly narrative, showcasing Stravinsky’s outstanding orchestration.

Its orchestral color and shifting rhythms vividly portray a world of magic and adventure.

The 1945 version, restructured for concert performance, is more concise and powerful in character.

It’s a perfect choice for those who want to immerse themselves in a fantastical story world or savor the sumptuous sound of a full orchestra.

The Firebird: Ballet Suite (1919 version)Igor Stravinsky19rank/position

Stravinsky: “The Firebird” Suite (1919 version) (with Score)

A masterpiece that represents the 20th century.

Inspired by Russian folk tales, this piece is characterized by a fantastical atmosphere and powerful rhythms.

It begins with a mysterious melody in the introduction, followed by the dazzling Dance of the Firebird, the evil king’s ferocious dance, and other vivid musical episodes that bring the story to life.

The 1919 reorchestrated suite version is easier to perform and has become a favorite of many orchestras.

It’s recommended not only for those interested in classical music, but also for listeners who enjoy narrative-driven works.

Its 1910 premiere was a great success and revolutionized the worlds of ballet and music.

The Rite of SpringIgor Stravinsky20rank/position

Svetlanov Conducts: Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

This piece, with its striking opening bassoon solo, was apparently sensational at the time due to its dissonance and exceedingly primitive rhythms, and at its premiere there was such chaos that heckling broke out from the audience during the performance.

There is also a wind band arrangement, and it is a piece frequently performed by wind ensembles.