Stravinsky’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
Among his signature works are the ballet scores The Rite of Spring and The Firebird, and when it comes to a Russian composer who epitomizes the 20th century in the classical world, that would be Igor Stravinsky.
Stravinsky’s style is often marked by technical complexity and challenging harmonies and rhythms; many of his pieces are not easily embraced by general audiences.
Yet his avant-garde approach has continued to shock with each listening and made him one of the musicians who exerted a wide-ranging influence on the arts from the 20th century onward.
Here, I’ll list and introduce Stravinsky’s works—from the most representative to those that might make you think, “Wait, this is by Stravinsky too?”
Whether you find them accessible or not is up to you—do give them a listen!
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Stravinsky’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (21–30)
Ebony ConcertoIgor Stravinsky
This piece was composed at the request of Woody Herman, who was active as a wind instrumentalist and singer, and it is also known as the Ebony Concerto.
Incidentally, “ebony” refers to the black wood (ebony) that is sometimes used as a material for clarinets.
karuta gameIgor Stravinsky
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.
Stravinsky’s masterpieces: Popular classical music (31–40)
Concerto “Dumbarton Oaks”Igor Stravinsky
A concerto grosso commissioned by Robert Woods Bliss, its title, “Dumbarton Oaks,” derives from his address.
It premiered in 1938, but Stravinsky himself could not attend as he was convalescing.
Fairy’s KissIgor Stravinsky
It is a ballet set in Switzerland, based on music by Tchaikovsky.
The premiere took place in 1928, 35 years after Tchaikovsky’s death, with Stravinsky himself conducting.
The choreography at that time was created by Bronislava Nijinska.
Fantastical ScherzoIgor Stravinsky
It is an orchestral piece composed in 1908 by Stravinsky, inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck’s work The Life of the Bee.
Stravinsky’s mentor, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, is said to have praised it highly after seeing the score.
Concerto for StringsIgor Stravinsky
It is a concerto composed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Basel Chamber Orchestra founded by Paul Sacher, and it is also known as the Basel Concerto.
The premiere, conducted by Sacher, took place in 1947.
It is sometimes used as ballet music.
foxIgor Stravinsky
It is a one-act ballet completed in 1917, subtitled “A Burlesque for Singing and Dancing.” Its premiere took place in 1922; Stravinsky himself praised the performance highly, but the audience’s reception appears to have been lukewarm.