Psalms and Fingers

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of Stravinsky's life through his symphonies. Today: his unique, darkly-scored Symphony of Psalms and dazzling Violin Concerto.

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) isn't generally thought of a symphonist - compared, say, to his contemporaries Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Sibelius. Yet Stravinsky's five symphonies - which span most of his mature career, from his early life in St Petersburg, to his socialite days in 1920s Paris, to his years as an émigré in the USA - are unique, dazzling musical jewels. This week, Donald Macleod tells the story of Stravinsky's life with complete performances of each of his five symphonies.

Despite having been brought up in the Russian Orthodox faith, by the mid-1920s Stravinsky hadn't written a note of religious music. This changed dramatically in the mid-1920s, as - perhaps spurred by guilt over his messy personal life - he turned back to the Orthodox Christianity of his youth. This would culminate in one of the 20th century's most distinctive and powerful sacred concert works - Stravinsky's "Symphony of Psalms".

Stravinsky: Credo (Simvol veri)
Gregg Smith Singers
Robert Craft, conductor

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Prague Philharmonic Choir
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Karel Ancerl, conductor

Stravinsky: Tarantella (Suite Italienne)
Maximilian Hornung, cello; Gerhard Vielhaber, piano

Stravinsky: Violin Concerto
Gil Shaham, violin
BBC Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson, conductor

Stravinsky: Ave Maria (Bogodoritse devo)
Gregg Smith Singers
Robert Craft, conductor.