The legendary pianists II; Stravinsky

The legendary P.A.. The radio network brings you another in a series of recitals by keyboard giants of the early 20th century. These performances are selected from more than 1000 Recordings. Reproducing piano rolls collected by Dr. Campbell stuff. The chairman of the music department at Washington State University. The duo art was a highly sophisticated refinement of the player. No developed to preserve actual performances of Concert Artists. In the days before electronic records. Now here is Campbell stout to introduce today's legendary pianist Igor Stravinsky was born near St. Petersburg Russia in 1892. He entered the University of St. Petersburg as a law student but continued his interest in music at the age of 22. His talents came to the attention of Rimsky-Korsakov who advised him to give up

the legal profession and direct his attention toward music. Stravinsky accepted this ad buys and began studying with Rimsky-Korsakov. His first published work of importance was a symphony and encouraged by its reception he continued with a song cycle and two orchestral numbers. The fireworks and scarcer and scarcer so fantastic. It was this last composition which brought him to the attention of the AGA who was just arriving at the pinnacle of his fame as a ballet conductor. As a result Stravinsky was invited to compose a piece for a forthcoming performance of the Russian Ballet. This turned out to be the Firebird the work featured on today's program. Stravinsky completed the score in one thousand ten and it had its first performance in June of that year in Paris and his first performance in the United States in 1916. It is now performed most often as an orchestral suite and has undergone certain changes in length and orchestration. Today's program presents approximately half of the complete work in reduction for solo piano as transcribed and performed by the composer. The remainder of the work will be presented on next week's

program. These rules which were recorded by Stravinsky about 1030 contain interesting biographical information about the composer and a complete analysis of the work including a running commentary to present the story of the ballet. The rules are part of the audio graphic library released by the Aeolian company for educational purposes and were used in music departments of many universities in this country and abroad just as phonograph recordings are used today by watching the commentary as the rules are played. I found that my enjoyment of the work was greatly increased. I presume the reason for this is my increased understanding and appreciation of what the composer was attempting to portray with this in mind I have decided to read for you the complete story of the ballet as the music is being performed by Mr Stravinsky as a professional musician myself I am usually bitterly opposed to the idea of automobile commentary during the performance of serious music but have decided to take the chance that not too many of the listeners will be offended. We will now hear music from the ballet the Firebird as performed by the composer eager Stravinsky.

Routes over the bright flowers and the magic garden of mortal body mind of all that is evil. The place is haunted by memories of. Eerie sounds coming from unseen shapes fall upon the earth. They're pretty.

They were strange and alarming. Listen. Then there's the Nam.

In this weird things. Right.

They greet you in the dark are as yet unaware. Bringing the fire this way. Years of the darkness are no older and igniting. The fire is heard coming nearer. And presently whirring of wings heralds her appearance in. Gravity.

I even ventured knowing him to cost me the bird. It seemed to.

Please herself. But her pursuer. I haven't. He is watching her every. Day. Fire fares are now low security frolicsome

puts a bell joyfully in our house price three. This and that was careless and this. Is a weak

link already and suddenly fixed. The Firebirds. Moment you are in but I am in is determined in its pursuit. We can try to hold. Fire but I grasp as firmly. Changing her tack.

Displays all splendor of her beautiful. Eyes to arouse his senses. However winningly However hideous her distress rises. This.

Is a. Mess in the park with. The Firebird makes a last ditch and then resumes are played.

Successful. Thing that I haven't is that last gives I mean a feather as a pledge. With joy.

She thanked her captor and promises to come to his aid whenever she asked. Then she flies swiftly away. Even as they get alone in the enchanted garden. With. Now a soft radiance blows through the gates of the magic garden.

The gates open wide and. The light grew stronger. Second. There me 13 of them. Are simply one of them who is as ours

is more splendid. They are victims permitted to wander and chanted garden at night. Here is their playground. They challenge each other to a game. And they dispose them.

This begins the dance with the golden apples. I am.

I am. Or like.

For the princes before the Prince I have been. Gazing at them in wonder. First run from. The bells to them and. They cannot return his respectful salute. And every conversation. They are still alone.

They scarcely dared. To be able to remain in the news. He would like to join in there. Around is for Greece. There is. No major began. Just a. Couple of.

The couplet as follows. Now the second. After the second.

Games. Reading are now each surrounded me.

As the two groups draw together face to face. And they embrace. You have just heard the first half of Stravinsky's music for the ballet the Firebird the remainder of the work with Igor Stravinsky as the performing pianist will be presented on next week's program. This has been the legendary pianists. A series of recitals from doing large

reproducing piano rolls by the keyboard giants of the early 20th century. Your host and commentator on these programs is Dr. Campbell Stout the chairman of the music department at Washington State University. Speaking to legendary pianists is produced by Washington State University Radio and distributed by the NAACP Radio Network.