Stravinsky: Die Geschichte vom Soldaten (Deutsche Fassung). Élégie. Duo concertant

Featuring

Isabelle Faust
Alexander Melnikov
Dominique Horwitz
Wies de Boevé
Reinhold Friedrich
Jörgen van Rijen

Lorenzo Coppola
Javier Zafra
Raymond Curfs
Igor Stravinsky

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Stravinsky's intention for the "Duo concertant" was to create a 'lyrical composition' and 'musical verses,' influenced by ancient bucolic poets and their artistic techniques.

Compositional Technique

The instrumental scoring for "Die Geschichte vom Soldaten" is unique, featuring violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, cornet, trombone, and percussion, which some suggest is reminiscent of Klezmer ensembles.

Composition History

Igor Stravinsky, the composer, and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, a Swiss writer, were inspired to create "Die Geschichte vom Soldaten" (The Soldier's Tale) by Russian folk tales, particularly one about a deserter and the devil.

Instruments

Isabelle Faust, the violinist, plays a 'Dornröschen' (Sleeping Beauty) Stradivari violin from 1704, strung with gut strings to enhance the physical and raw aspects of the sound.

Instruments

Javier Zafra, the bassoonist, uses a Buffet-Crampon bassoon from 1910 made of rosewood, which provides a warm, singing tone even in high registers, similar to a French tenor.

Historical Context

Stravinsky, deeply affected by the Bolshevik seizure of power in Russia in October 1917 and the loss of his resources, conceived "Die Geschichte vom Soldaten" as a 'theatre of poverty' with a small ensemble.

Recording & Production

All percussion instruments used in this recording were built in the late 19th or early 20th century and were specifically restored for this project by Geert-Jan Koops and Pascal Hoeke.