Stravinsky Through Robert Craft’s Lens: Memories and Comments, Volume Two

Stravinsky‘s Intimate Reflections Revealed in Newly Examined interviews

A newly released volume of interviews with the iconic Composer Igor Stravinsky offers a rare,detailed glimpse into his life,influences,and artistic process. The collection, compiled from conversations with conductor Robert Craft, delves into the formative years of the Russian-born composer and his perspectives on a wide range of musical figures and creations.

Early Life and Influences in Russia

The book extensively covers Stravinsky’s early life in Saint Petersburg,Russia,focusing on his family background,education,and crucial mentorship under Nikolaï Rimski-Korsakov. Stravinsky regarded Rimski-Korsakov as an “adoptive father” and a pivotal figure in his musical development. He also reflects on collaborations with renowned choreographers like Fokine, Massine, and Nijinsky, expressing particular admiration for Nijinsky’s captivating stage presence in the role of Petrouchka.

Stravinsky offered candid assessments of his contemporaries, including Prokofiev and Scriabin, revealing a critical eye for their work. He famously dismissed Scriabin’s music as “pompous,” showcasing his willingness to challenge established musical norms.

A Composer’s Circle: Friends and Rivals

Beyond the musical sphere, the volume presents Stravinsky’s impressions of a diverse circle of personalities – composers Reynaldo Hahn and De Falla, literary figures valery and Rolland, and even interactions with members of royalty. He recalled a correspondence with Diaghilev, describing him as a dominant and powerful influence.

Musical Perspectives and Debates

Stravinsky engages in insightful discussions about the music of past masters, and also his contemporaries like Varèse and emerging talents such as Boulez and Stockhausen. he held webern in especially high esteem, considering him a “sacred figure” for those devoted to music. Interestingly, when discussing his own Russian-period compositions – including Pribaoutki and cat’s Lullabies – Stravinsky refuted claims of directly borrowing from folk songs, suggesting rather a subconscious resonance with traditional melodies. “It is the syllables and words of the songs which dictated the music,” he explained.

Opera and Collaboration

The interviews also shed light on the complexities of Stravinsky’s operatic projects. Correspondence from scenographer Alexandre Benois details the challenges in bringing The Nightingale (Rossignol) to life. The composer’s interactions with librettists André Gide for persephone and Wystan Hugh Auden for Rake’s Progress – the latter spanning five years – reveal his collaborative process and artistic vision. The opera Rake’s progress premiered at La Fenice in Venice in 1951.

Key Operas Discussed

Opera	Librettist	year of Premiere
The Nightingale (Rossignol)	N/A	1914
Persephone	André Gide	1933
Rake’s Progress	Wystan Hugh Auden	1951

Throughout the volume, a wealth of visual material complements the text. Archival portraits, costume designs, set sketches, musical scores, and ballet photography offer a rich and immersive experience for readers.

The resurgence of interest in classical music among younger audiences – a trend noted in a recent Classic FM report – may drive renewed thankfulness for Stravinsky’s contributions and this detailed examination of his artistic journey.

What aspects of a composer’s personal life do you find most illuminating when understanding their work? And how crucial are collaborations in shaping a truly groundbreaking artistic vision?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!

What does *Stravinsky Through Robert Craft’s Lens: Memories and Comments, Volume Two* reveal about Stravinsky’s american years and his transition to serial music?

Stravinsky Through Robert craft’s Lens: Memories and Comments, Volume Two

Robert Craft’s multi-volume chronicle of his decades-long association with Igor Stravinsky remains an unparalleled resource for anyone seriously studying the 20th century’s most influential composer. Stravinsky Through Robert Craft’s Lens: Memories and Comments, Volume Two (published 1992) builds upon the foundation laid in the frist volume, offering a deeper, more nuanced portrait of Stravinsky the man and the artist, particularly focusing on the period from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. This isn’t simply biography; it’s a detailed exploration of compositional processes, aesthetic philosophies, and the intellectual climate surrounding Stravinsky’s mature works.

The Scope of Volume Two: A Period of Transition and Innovation

This volume is particularly crucial for understanding Stravinsky’s stylistic shifts. It covers a period marked by significant changes – his emigration to the United States during World War II, his embrace of serialism, and the creation of landmark compositions like the Symphony in Three Movements and Canticum Sacrum. Craft meticulously documents these developments, not just through direct recollections of conversations with Stravinsky, but also through analyses of scores and detailed descriptions of rehearsals.

Key areas explored within the volume include:

* Stravinsky’s American Years: The challenges and opportunities presented by his relocation to the US, and how this impacted his compositional voice. Craft details the practical difficulties – securing funding,finding suitable performance venues – alongside the intellectual stimulation of engaging with american musical culture.

* The Serialist Turn: A comprehensive account of Stravinsky’s adoption of twelve-tone technique, a move that initially surprised many.craft clarifies Stravinsky’s motivations, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to exploring new musical possibilities and avoiding stylistic stagnation. He presents stravinsky’s serialism not as a wholesale abandonment of his previous style, but as a logical extension of his existing principles of motivic advancement and rhythmic complexity.

* Religious Works: A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to Stravinsky’s sacred music, including Symphony of Psalms and Canticum Sacrum. Craft provides valuable insights into the composer’s spiritual beliefs and how these informed his musical choices.

* collaboration and Performance: Detailed accounts of working with leading orchestras and conductors of the time, offering a unique perspective on the practical realities of bringing Stravinsky’s music to life.

craft as Historian and Analyst: The value of His Perspective

Robert Craft wasn’t merely Stravinsky’s assistant; he was a trained musician, a skilled analyst, and a perceptive observer. His writing is characterized by a remarkable attention to detail and a commitment to presenting Stravinsky’s ideas in their own terms. He avoids imposing retrospective interpretations, instead allowing Stravinsky’s voice to take center stage.

This approach is particularly evident in the volume’s numerous musical examples and analytical discussions. Craft doesn’t shy away from technical complexities, but he explains them in a clear and accessible manner, making the book valuable for both scholars and serious music lovers. He frequently contrasts Stravinsky’s methods with those of other composers – Schoenberg, Webern, and Berg – providing a broader context for understanding his innovations.

Beyond Anecdote: The importance of Context

While Memories and Comments is rich in personal anecdotes, it’s far from a simple collection of reminiscences. Craft consistently situates Stravinsky’s work within its ancient and intellectual context. He discusses the influence of Russian folklore, jazz, and classical traditions on the composer’s style.He also explores the philosophical underpinnings of Stravinsky’s aesthetic, drawing connections to thinkers like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.

This contextualization is crucial for understanding the full meaning of Stravinsky’s achievement. It reveals him not just as a musical genius, but as a deeply engaged and intellectually curious artist who was constantly responding to the challenges and opportunities of his time.

The Legacy of Craft’s Work: Ongoing Relevance for Stravinsky Studies

The Stravinsky Through Robert Craft’s Lens series continues to be essential reading for anyone interested in 20th-century music. Volume Two, in particular, offers a unique and invaluable perspective on a pivotal period in Stravinsky’s career. Its detailed documentation of compositional processes, aesthetic debates, and personal interactions provides a level of insight that is simply unavailable elsewhere.

For researchers, the volumes serve as a primary source, offering direct access to Stravinsky’s thoughts and ideas. For performers, they provide a deeper understanding of the composer’s intentions.And for listeners, they offer a richer and more rewarding experience of Stravinsky’s music. The ongoing scholarly interest in Stravinsky ensures that Craft’s work will remain relevant for generations to come.

Practical tips for Engaging with the text

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