It's a bird, it's a plane...

No, it's Stravinsky superheroes!



Yesterday we had a rehearsal in costume for The Stravinsky Project. Much work still needs to be done in all areas, but it is definitely starting to come together.

We had the pianists in the studio for Rite of Spring yesterday which was a lot of fun. I've have worked with both Susan and Carol (aka The Good Doctor, who has incidentally written a book titled "Untethered" available on the Amazon Kindle store) many times in the past and always enjoy their skill and artistry. It's mind-boggling to me that any individual(s) can make such intentionally chaotic sounds come out of any instrument. If you haven't heard the double-piano score I highly recommend you listen to it; It somehow feels even more complex than the orchestral version.

That's all the news from me today. I've got to go be a tall couple in Rite.

- Steven

*Photo Credit: Thyra Hartshorn.

Location:SE Morrison St,Portland,United States

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5 Fun Facts About Igor Stravinsky

Facts compliments of Maestro DePonte

1. At one point, Stravinsky lived in a Swiss hotel, but wouldn't compose there unless he was sure no one could hear him - which was rare. Later, a dealer set him up with a piano which was kept in a combination lumber storage-chicken coop. In the coop/lumber yard he composed some of his most famous works.

2. Stravinsky was romantically linked to Coco Chanel - a relationship that's explored in the 2009 film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. (Inspired title, right?)

3. Stravinsky was known for ruthlessly promoting his music in order to support his lavish lifestyle. One of his triumphs was the inclusion of Rite of Spring in Walt Disney's Fantasia. He also composed a commissioned work for dancing elephants which eventually become George Balanchine's Circus Polka. Stravinsky was able to negotiate a high commission from the circus for his composition.

Bonus actual Balanchine/Stravinsky elephant conversation transcript:

Balanchine: "I wonder if you'd like to do a little ballet with me."

Stravinsky: "For whom?"

Balanchine: "For some elephants."

Stravinsky: "How old?"

Balanchine: "Very young."

Stravinsky: "All right. If they are very young elephants, I will do it."

4. The audience protest at the 1913 premiere of The Rite of Spring was so loud that neither the dancers nor the audience could properly hear the music.

5. Towards the end of his life, Stravinsky became especially fond of the game Scrabble. Bonus question: How many points is "Stravinsky" worth?

Get all the Stravinsky you can handle at OBT's The Stravinsky Project opening February 26th.

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