Drawn to the Music
DRAWN TO THE MUSIC - LIST OF SCENES
List of scenes (with musical movements)
(The approximate running time for the movement as performed is indicated. Some of the run times are shorter than will be found on the recordings, because we will be playing a selection from the movement. A chosen illustration is likely to appear on screen for between two and ten seconds, dependent on musical pacing and the needs for storytelling at that moment of the performance.)
1 Prince Ivan creeps through the taiga (Introduction 3:00”)
1a Prince Ivan ventures through the mysterious realm of Kaschei the deathless.
1b A mist creeps across the Siberian taiga.
1c Something flits overhead.
1d As dawn light glows, Prince Ivan spies a beautiful castle and grounds, just over the next hill.
2 Prince Ivan discovers the Firebird
(Firebird and her dance 1:30”)
2a Prince Ivan wanders in the gardens and comes across a wondrous and strange bird.
2b The Prince gives chase.
2c The firebird scitters hither and thither.
2d The firebird playfully pecks at the Prince, but at last allows itself to be caught.
3 The Princesses
(Round of the Princesses 5:00”)
3a Prince Ivan sees thirteen princesses, each more beautiful than the previous.
3b Each wears a gown of exquisite fabric.
3c He begins to converse with one, and the two roam the grounds.
3d The flowers on all sides are as beautiful as the princesses.
3e The Prince and Princess have fallen deeply in love.
4 Kaschei the Deathless
(Infernal Dance 1:00”) (selection)
4a Kaschei the deathless and his menacing minions burst upon the scene.
4b The firebird arrives to enchant them, and sends all into a frantic dance.
5 The secret of the egg
(Berceuse/Lullaby 3:30”)
5a Exhausted, Kaschei and his minions sleep.
5b The firebird tells Prince Ivan the secret of the soul-egg.
5c They envision life without Kaschei the deathless.
5d All is still as they eye the soul-egg.
6 Triumph
(Finale 3”)
6a Ivan quietly destroys the egg, and Kashchei vanishes into the mist, with his castle and minions.
6b Out of the mist step the awakened princesses.
6c The prince joins hands with his beloved and her sisters.
6d As light burns through the mist, the firebird appears, sweeping gloriously overhead.
6e A great victory is celebrated.
DRAWN TO THE MUSIC ...
.....invites children to explore music, stories and drawing to create a unique public performance.
Read the charming story. Listen to the beautiful orchestral work. Draw your own illustration in response.The result is a unique performance of a great orchestral work.
The New Hampshire Philharmonic
DRAWN TO THE MUSIC - GUIDE TO ILLUSTRATIONS
Each year the Drawn to the Music concert presents a unique photo-choreographed performance of a major work of orchestral music. The performance tells a story in a series of musical movements, each of which contains several scenes that lend themselves to illustration. Students are invited to submit illustrations for any scenes that appeal to them.
This year the New Hampshire Philharmonic is thrilled to present Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. This orchestral suite from the ballet weaves together ancient Slavic tales, including the myth of Koschei the deathless and the Firebird. It is a seminal work for Stravinsky in his collaboration with the Ballet Russes, followed soon by the triumphs of Petrushka and Rite of Spring.
When choosing a recording to listen to, it is important to note that there are several performance versions of Firebird. We will be using the orchestral suite from 1919. We will NOT be using the 1911 or 1945 versions. Some of your students may be interested in listening to the complete ballet (dating from 1910) for greater context. However, the orchestral suite from 1919 tells the story in an engaging manner and is of suitable concert length.
Recordings are available widely. Some recordings include:
For the 1919 suite:
Claudio Abbado - London Symphony - Deutsche Gramaphon
Leonard Bernstein - New York Philharmonic - Masterworks
For the complete ballet:
a thrilling version by Gergiev conducting the Kirov
Guide for educators
Press release
