Stravinsky / Seattle Symphony / Schwarz Firebird CD

The scintillating orchestral effects of Fireworks so impressed Sergey Dyagilev that the impresario was prompted to commission a new work from Stravinsky for his Ballet Russes. Telling of Prince Ivan's fantastic adventures in the demonic Kastchei's magic realm the Firebird is a virtuoso composition in every regard; it's colorful sonorities and dramatic impact brought Stravinsky instant celebrity and led to his successful ballets Petrushka (Naxos 8571222) and the Rite of Spring (Naxos 8571223). This recording has been acclaimed as "polished and brilliant" (Gramophone).

1. Introduction 00:02:37 2. Scene 1: Night. Kastchei's Enchanted Garden 00:01:51 3. Scene 1: The Firebird Enters, Pursued By Ivan Tsarevich 00:02:29 4. Scene 1: The Firebird's Dance 00:01:18 5. Scene 1: Ivan Tsarevich Captures the Firebird 00:00:54 6. Scene 1: The Firebird Begs to Be Released - Entrance of the Thirteen Enchanted Princesses 00:08:12 7. Scene 1: The Princesses Play with the Golden Apples (Scherzo) - Ivan Tsarevich Appears 00:03:36 8. Scene 1: The Princesses' Khorovod (Round Dance) 00:05:06 9. Scene 1: Daybreak 00:01:27 10. Scene 1: Ivan Tsarevich, Entering Kastchei's Palace... - the Entrance of Kastchei the Immortal - Dialogue Between Kastchei and Ivan Tsarevich - the Princesses Plead for Mercy - the Firebird Enters 00:05:34 11. Scene 1: Dance of Kastchei's Retinue Under the Firebird's Magic Spell 00:00:45 12. Scene 1: Infernal Dance of Kastchei and His Subjects Under the Firebird's Magic Spell 00:04:41 13. Scene 1: The Firebird's Lullaby - Kastchei Awakens - Kastchei's Death - Profonds Tenebres 00:05:28 14. Scene 2: Kastchei's Spell Is Broken, His Palace Disappears, and the Petrified Knights Return to Life. General Thanksgiving... 00:03:20 15. Feu D'artifice (Fireworks), Op. 4 00:04:24