Igor Stravinsky Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

PulcinellaIgor Stravinsky29rank/position

Stravinsky: Ballet music Pulcinella (1965 revised version): Haitink / Berlin Philharmonic

This piece was created when Sergei Diaghilev selected 18 pieces and asked Stravinsky to arrange them.

Although the finished work was completely different from what Diaghilev had intended, he approved it, and it premiered in 1920.

PetrushkaIgor Stravinsky30rank/position

Stravinsky: Petroesjka / Petrouchka Concertgebouw Orchestra Live concert HD

Following The Rite of Spring and The Firebird, this piece is counted among Igor Stravinsky’s three great ballet scores and tells the story of a straw doll brought to life.

It was composed for the Ballets Russes and premiered in 1911.

Its first performance in Japan took place in 1937.

The title character, Petrushka, can be thought of as a Russian counterpart to Pinocchio: though not human, he is a puppet who feels genuine passion and longs to be human.

While it bears Stravinsky’s distinctive style, its story is easier to follow than those of The Rite of Spring and The Firebird, making it the most approachable of the three and a highly recommended ballet score.

3rd movement from PetrushkaIgor Stravinsky31rank/position

Stravinsky: Three Movements from Petrouchka

Igor Stravinsky, the great Russian composer who left numerous masterpieces characterized by primitivism, neoclassicism, and serialism.

Petrushka: Three Movements is one of Stravinsky’s representative works for piano.

It is said to have been composed at the request of the great pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who asked for “the most difficult piece ever,” and it demands highly advanced technique.

In every respect—finger agility, stamina, keyboard leaps, and expression—it can be considered a challenging work.

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Russian Dance from Petrushka, Suite No. 3, 1st Movement, Scene 1Igor Stravinsky32rank/position

Stravinsky Petrushka – Stravinsky Three Movements from Petrushka

Igor Stravinsky, one of the defining composers of the 20th century, is renowned for innovative works such as The Firebird and The Rite of Spring, but the pieces he wrote for piano are also highly original.

Three Movements from Petrushka is an arrangement of his ballet music, and in the first movement the dancing of the puppets is vividly portrayed.

Filled with complex rhythms and virtuosic passages, this work represents Stravinsky at his finest in exploring the piano’s possibilities.

It is recommended not only for pianists with advanced technical command but for all classical music fans who enjoy avant-garde music.

From Petrushka, 3 Movements: Movement II, Scene 2 “Petrushka’s Room”Igor Stravinsky33rank/position

Stravinsky:Trois Mouvements de Pétrouchka 2nd movement Chez Pétrouchka

Three Movements from Petrushka, based on the ballet music Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, one of the genius Russian composers who defined the 20th century.

The work was arranged for piano by the composer himself in 1921 and premiered the same year by pianist Arthur Rubinstein.

The second movement, Petrushka’s Room, vividly depicts the protagonist Petrushka’s complex emotions and inner turmoil, featuring the striking dissonance known as the “Petrushka chord.” It is an ambitious work that showcases Stravinsky’s innovative rhythms and harmonies, as well as exceptional pianistic technique.

From Petrushka, 3 Movements: Movement III, Scene 3 ‘The Shrovetide Fair’Igor Stravinsky34rank/position

Stravinsky: Three Movements from Petrushka: III. “Shrovetide Fair” [Naxos Classical Curations #Fantasy]

Igor Stravinsky, one of the most innovative composers of the 20th century, is known for his energetic and daring works, including the ballet scores The Firebird and The Rite of Spring.

Three Movements from Petrushka is an arrangement for solo piano of his ballet Petrushka.

In the third movement, “La Semaine Grasse” (Shrovetide Fair), the bustling excitement of the festival is vividly portrayed, making it a bold attempt to express an orchestral work on a single piano.

Its score—demanding left-hand trills, wide leaps, and highly intricate techniques—bristles with transcendental difficulty and is truly overwhelming to hear.

It is a masterpiece that advanced pianists with formidable technique are especially encouraged to take on.

Apollo Leading the MusesIgor Stravinsky35rank/position

Stravinsky – Apollo (Apollon musagète)

This work is distinguished by its simple beauty, scored solely for strings.

The tale of Apollo and the three Muses—depicting their encounter and growth—symbolizes the sanctity of art and creativity.

Premiered in Paris in 1928, and paired with George Balanchine’s innovative choreography, it had a profound impact on twentieth-century ballet music.

While following classical forms, the piece breathes new life into rhythm and melody, successfully honoring the traditions of classical ballet while embracing a modern sensibility.

It’s a recommended piece for those interested in ballet music or looking to enjoy neoclassical music.