Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 11/30/2004, uploaded on 01/15/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Suite Italienne for Violin and Piano         Igor Stravinsky

This suite is based on music from the ballet Pulcinella, which incorporates themes by Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736).  Pulcinella was an important turning point in Stravinsky's career, for it led him into the so-called "neo-classical" style, which was to dominate his work for the next several decades.  Even as Stravinsky uses Pergolesi's melodies and bass lines with little change, he still puts his own unmistakable stamp on the ballet through his use of modern harmonies and rhythmic modifications.  Stravinsky later turned the ballet into a concert suite for orchestra.  It is in this form, as well as in his transcription for violin or cello with piano (titled Suite Italienne), that the work has achieved its greatest popularity.   Janet Sung

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.