Liberation

Donald Macleod ends this week exploring Stravinsky's life through his symphonies with the story of the turbulent Symphony in Three Movements, his first major American work.

He's undisputedly one of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century. But Igor Stravinsky 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.

To end the week, Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of a work the composer called his "Victory" symphony - written in the 1940s as the Allied troops gradually drove back the Axis forces.

Stravinsky: Scherzo à la Russe
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra,
Paavo Järvi, conductor

Stravinsky: Scènes de Ballet
Orchestra Of St Luke's
Robert Craft, conductor

Stravinsky: Ebony Concerto
Benny Goodman, clarinet
Woody Herman and his Orchestra

Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor.