The Sonata for Two Pianos was not commissioned and was initially considered for a film score, with Stravinsky orchestrating parts of it before settling on the two-piano format.
Composer Biography
Igor Stravinsky, the composer, was inspired by Virgil's Georgics when writing his Duo Concertant for violin and piano.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Stravinsky's Requiem Canticles was designed with a symmetrical overall structure: six vocal movements divided by an instrumental dirge.
Composition History
Stravinsky's Abraham and Isaac, a sacred ballad for baritone and chamber orchestra, sets verses from the Book of Genesis and is dedicated to the People of Israel.
Compositional Technique
In Requiem Canticles, Stravinsky used a daring combination of celesta, campane (chimes), and vibraphone in the Postlude, balancing their volumes even though he had never heard them together.
Performer Biography
Robert Craft, the conductor of this album, had a historic association with Igor Stravinsky, serving as his constant companion, co-conductor, and musical confidant for over twenty years.
Recording & Production
This album is part of "The Robert Craft Collection," an ongoing project to record the complete works of Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, and Anton Webern.
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