The Firebird
Ballet
The Firebird (French: L'Oiseau de feu; Russian: Жар-птица, romanized: Zhar-ptitsa) is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company; the original choreography was by Michel Fokine, who collaborated with Alexandre Benois and others on a scenario based on the Russian fairy tales of the Firebird and the blessing and curse it possesses for its owner.
Movements
- Introduction
- The Enchanted Garden of Kastchei
- Appearance of the Firebird, Pursued by Prince Ivan
- Dance of the Firebird
- Capture of the Firebird by Prince Ivan
- Supplication of the Firebird
- Appearance of the Thirteen Enchanted Princesses
- The Princesses’ Game with the Golden Apples
- Sudden Appearance of Prince Ivan
- Khorovod (Round Dance) of the Princesses
- Daybreak - Prince Ivan Enters Kastchei’s Palace
- Magic Carillon - Appearance of Kastchei’s Monster Guardians - Capture of Prince Ivan
- Arrival of Kastchei the Immortal - Dialogue of Kastchei and Prince Ivan - Intercession of the Princesses
- Appearance of the Firebird
- Dance of Kastchei’s Retinue, Enchanted by the Firebird
- Infernal Dance of All Kastchei’s Subjects
- Lullaby (The Firebird)
- Kastchei’s Death
- Disappearance of Kastchei’s Palace and Magical Creations - Return to Life of the Petrified Knights - General Rejoicing
Recommended recordings
- London Symphony Orchestra · Antal Doráti YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- Berliner Philharmoniker · Pierre Boulez YouTubeSpotify (subscription)