FINALE FROM
THE FIREBIRD SUITE
Igor Stravinsky
Arr. Michael Story
Igor Stravinsky
• 1882 – 1971
• Russian composer, pianist, and
conductor
• One of the most important and
influential composers of 20th
century music
• Compositional career was notable
for its stylistic diversity
• Achieved international fame with
three ballets
– The Firebird (1910)
– Petrushka (1911)
– The Rite of Spring (1913)
Fun Fact
• The premiere of The Rite of Spring provoked
one of the most famous classical music riots in
history!
The Firebird
The Firebird is Stravinsky’s first famous
ballet from 1910. The ballet is based
on Russian folk tales of a magical
glowing bird (The Firebird) that is
both a blessing and a curse to its
captor.
• 45-minutes long
– Written for a very large orchestra
including quadruple woodwind
and three harps, as well as a piano
Three Shorter Suites
• All arranged by Stravinsky
– 1911
– 1919
– 1945
• 1919 suite remains the most well known and
often played
• 1945 version contains the most music from
the original ballet score
Movements
• 1919 suite has five movements
– (1) Introduction - The Firebird and its dance - The
Firebird's variation
– (2) The Princesses’ Khorovod (Rondo, round
dance)
– (3) Infernal dance of King Kashchei
– (4) Berceuse (Lullaby)
– (5) Finale
A Version For You
Michael Story has
arranged the fifth
movement
(Finale) for
Middle School
band.
Fantasia 2000
• The Chicago Symphony performs the 1919
suite to a beautifully animated scene
Let’s Listen to the Finale!
Click here to view Finale from Fantasia 2000
Click here to listen to our arrangement