How Stravinsky Tells a Story

* Stravinsky’s ballet ‘Petrushka’ almost never came into existence. In 1911, Serge Diaghilev, the director of the Ballet Russe, visited Stravinsky to check on the progress of their latest commission, ‘The Rite of Spring’, but Stravinsky hadn’t written a single note of the piece. Instead, he had been working on an orchestral piece about a puppet who comes to life. When Diaghilev heard what Stravinsky had written, he put aside plans for ‘The Rite’ and instead convinced Stravinsky to turn this orchestral piece into a ballet of its own. ‘Petrushka’ was the result. Stravinsky’s score for ‘Petrushka’ contains some of the most enduringly popular music he ever wrote, and shows Stravinsky’s almost unparalleled ability to tell a story.

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#Stravinsky #Petrushka

[givertayk]

Please don't stop making content. This stuff is so well done and engaging. You deserve hundreds of thousands of subscribers!

[joeweinberg]

i literally started crying when I finally understood the plotline of this piece of music

[GJYYNGII]

The piano segments in Petrushka are always my favorites.

[HarmoniChris]

To our modern ears, Petrushka sounds and feels like a perfect fit for film score, even if that wasn't necessarily Stravinsky's intention. Given that motion pictures just started popping up 9 years prior, beginning with "Le Voyage dans la Lune" in 1902, I wonder if Stravinsky perhaps ever considered the possibility of composing for the new medium. As films were entirely silent back then (and would stay that way until 1927), it was entirely untapped potential for a time until orchestrated performances of motion pictures slowly became the norm. What about the current age? Has a film version of Stravinsky's ballet ever been adapted for the big screen, and faithfully at that?

[pattyluss]

Yes! God I love Petrushka! I love the idea of multiple themes played at once, really puts you in the middle of the action, aurally. Reminds me of Charles Ives, only slightly more subtle, though I enjoy both approaches. Listening in, I love it!

[celesteperia]

Several years ago, I can't understand what is the story behind the music, since I'm not a musically inclined person, but when I've watched this explanation, its very clear, comprehensive and it's very educational. i've learned a lot. thanks!

[oaelluin]

Anything you make, I will watch.
Thank you for this, love Stravinsky.

[justinprice]

I've both listened to and played Petrushka (as an orchestra musician) many times. It's never been as clear as after viewing and listening to your content. Thanks for identifying the Russian folk songs and showing how they become part of the story telling.
Don't know what to say about the Moor, except that Stravinsky is talking about traditional Russia--note the dancing bear. He's viewing it from a modern perspective. He was on his way to becoming "the man without a country." We may have caught him mid-change.

[JonathanPeterssonPiano]

You are truly amazing! So happy that I found your channel. The way you brake down musical pieces (and other forms of art) is truly inspiring.

[Max-jfvu]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant editing! Every video feels like a journey!

[republiccooper]

This is perhaps my favourite ballet and ballet music and piano piece (to play). Everything is so gratifying here.

[educostanzo]

Can't help but imagining a full commentary version of the Rite of Spring narrated by you man, awesome analysis.

[anti-incognita]

I think the problematic nature of the 3rd scene could only be made evident through the staging of the ballet. No interpretation is ever stagnant (and forgive me if this a stretch) so I would argue that the "brutal" nature of the music as could be seen an expression of Petrushka's mindset towards The Moor rather than the aggressive nature The Moor (The music isn't depicting the truth of the scene, hence the need of staging). That he is an unreliable "hero" so to speak. Hence the distance of the music from his death.
(Also amazing video I've been meaning to get into Stravinsky and this has been a major inspiration).

[igetwork]

When stravinsky pulls back musically upon the death of the puppet....it could be we see the release of the puppet's (new found) pain! 

As in real life.... a small cut in a kitchen knife accident can produce loud curses and storming around. In a more dire kitchen accident like cutting off a large piece of a finger, i can often produce a very small 'oh!' :)  

Thank you for deconstructing this in such a beautiful and well produced way. I'm glad I discovered your channel!

[skrutten_]

I think Petrushka is my favorite Stravinsky work, but I can only get myself to really enjoy the first scene and the Danse russe. I hope I can appreciate the entire work in the future.

[maestrocam]

This was so wonderfully put together! Petrushka has become my favorite of the Ballet Rus over the years. It's the perfect mix between Stravinsky's romantic upbringing and his expressionistic future. Thank you for this video.

[alexscott]

Thanks for making this video! I have always felt that Petrushka is the least celebrated of the "big 3" Stravinsky ballets but it has always been my favourite. The melodies on top of one another and the energy of the music has always thrilled me! I got the score a few months ago and I just can't stop reading and listening!

[yattasuccess]

Trying to find a video to fill me in before I go to sleep, I perfectly run into this one, informative, but also passively-calm, amazing video! Yes I will sleep now, for I have gotten my nightly dose of informative videos.

[ghostmuffins]

Wow the work that went to this is insane

[atab]

How do you not have a million subscribers! The quality and the narration is so great, keep up the amazing work! :)