Symphony in E-flat (Stravinsky)

The Symphony in E-flat major, Op. 1, is the first published work composed by Igor Stravinsky during his apprenticeship with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. It is also his first composition for orchestra. Of classical structure, it is broadly influenced by Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov, Tchaikovsky and Wagner.^[1] It was composed in 1905–1907 and revised in 1913. It lasts for about forty minutes.

History

The score bears the dedication "To my dear teacher N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov". A private performance was given on 27 April 1907 by the St. Petersburg Court Orchestra conducted by H. Wahrlich, in a concert that also included the first performance of Faun and Shepherdess.^[2] Stravinsky later recalled that both Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov considered the orchestration "too heavy".^[1] The first public performance was conducted by Felix Blumenfeld on 22 January 1908. A revised version was conducted by Ernest Ansermet on 2 April 1914, and the composer conducted this version in his later performances.^[2]

Instrumentation

The symphony is scored for 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, percussion and strings.^[2]

Movements

Allegro moderato

The first movement is in sonata form.^[1]

Scherzo

This movement was sometimes played alone at performances of the Russian Ballet. Stravinsky incorporated into it a Russian folk song similar to one he used in Petrushka.^[2]

Largo

The longest movement of the symphony, lasting almost fifteen minutes.

Finale

The finale is a rondo.^[1] As in the second movement, Stravinsky includes a popular song ("Tchitcher-Yatcher"). He used it again in his Trois petites chansons of 1913.^[2]

Discography

• Stravinsky's recording of this symphony in his collected works on Sony Classical was recorded by the Columbia Symphony Orchestra in May 1966.^[3]

References

1. Walsh, Stephen (1988). The Music of Stravinsky. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 8–11. ISBN 0-19-816375-4.
2. White, Eric Walter (1979). Stravinsky: the Composer and his Works (2nd ed.). Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 29 & 176–177. ISBN 0-520-03985-8.
3. Works of Igor Stravinsky. 22-CD set. Sony Classical 88697103112. New York: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, 2007. Disc 8, "Stravinsky – Symphony in E-flat, Rehearsals & Talks" 88697103112-08.