Igor Stravinsky: Petrushka // Duncan Ward & London Symphony Orchestra

The LSO perform Igor Stravinsky's iconic ballet, Petrushka as part of the 2024 BMW Classics concert live from Trafalgar Square.
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In 1910, and still a young man in his 20s, Stravinsky was basking in the adoration of bohemian Paris glitterati. After the success of The Firebird with Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, it made sense to cement the winning formula with a follow-up production. His what-was-to-be provocative The Rite of Spring was brewing, but Stravinsky got side-tracked by a piece for piano and orchestra. Yet again, another work that started life on the piano! This instrument, Stravinsky felt, represented a puppet! Soon Petrushka emerged fully-formed - perfect for a ballet, the music just naturally evokes images of dancers.
You will notice that the music is very different to that of Chabrier or Brahms. Even though Stravinsky employs Russian folk songs throughout the piece, he uses a different tonality and complex rhythms that perplexed the orchestral players and confounded the dancers of the original 1911 production. Nevertheless, Petrushka became extremely popular throughout Europe and even into the United States, cementing Stravinsky’s fame.
The work is presented in four scenes:
Scene 1: The Shrovetide Fair
Scene 2: Petrushka’s Room
Scene 3: The Moor’s Room
Scene 4: The Shrovetide Fair - Evening
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