Celebrating Stravinsky
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky died 50 years ago. Is his influence still felt? We speak to musicians and performers about what Stravinsky means to them, and to music.
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky died 50 years ago this year. Yet his influence is still felt today, whether it's the pounding rhythms of The Rite of Spring or the musical borrowings of The Rake's Progress. Radio 3's Kate Molleson explains how Stravinsky changed the musical landscape, and just why we should be celebrating a composer born nearly 140 years ago.
Aurora Orchestra are preparing for their appearance at this year's BBC Proms. And the preparations involve memorising The Firebird, to play on stage without sheet music. Conductor Nicholas Collon and bassoonist Amy Harman discuss what memorising adds to the performance, and whether learning Stravinsky has any extra challenges.
Dancer Francesca Velicu earned an Olivier Award for dancing the role of the Chosen One in Pina Bausch's version of The Rite of Spring at English National Ballet. How does it feel to dance to the death?
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle has had a lifelong love affair with Igor Stravinsky. He tells John Wilson how he got hooked at an early age, and recommends a playlist for Stravinsky beginners.
Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Sofie Vilcins
Main image: Igor Stravinsky at the BBC in 1965.
Last on
BBC 2021 Proms which feature works by Stravinsky
Stravinsky From Memory: the Aurora Orchestra, cond: Nicholas Collon perform the Firebird Suite without scores. At 20.00 on 11 August 2021 on BBC R3 and BBC Sounds.
Vladimir Jurowskia conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform Stravinsky's Jeu de cartes at 19.30 on 12 August 2021 on Live on BBC R3 and on BBC Sounds.
Experimental composer and turntablist Shiva Feshareki joins conductor Sofi Jeannin and the BBC Singers to perform Stravinsky's Tres sacrae cantones - Illumina nos at 19.30 on 19 August 2021 live on BBC R3 and on BBC Sounds.
Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra: Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Symphony in C and Symphony in Three Movements Live on BBC R3 at 1930 on 22 August 2021, and on BBC Sounds and the BBC iPlayer. Main image: Igor Stravinsky at BBC in 1965
Broadcast
- Wed 11 Aug 202119:15BBC Radio 4
BBC Arts Digital
The best of British culture live and on demand.
Inspire
A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.
Podcast
![]()
Front Row
Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music
