Suites Nos. 1 And 2

The two Suites For Small Orchestra were orchestrated in 1921 and 1925. The source material was from the two little-studied sets of Piano duets Stravinsky wrote as 'teaching pieces' for young musicians.The leanness of the instrumentation, the infectious rhythmic drive and the always perfect instinct for dramatic timing – each a hallmark of Stravinsky’s approaching Neo-Classical period – are all present here. In hismusic Stravinsky has combined popular elements and grim, unsentimental irony with a perfection of technical mastery.

Suite No. 1 is orchestrated for 2 Flutes (2nd doubles as Piccolo), Oboe, 2 Clarinets in A, 2Bassoons, Horn in F, Trumpet in C, Trombone, Tuba, Big Drum and Strings. Duration is approximately 6 minutes, in four movements.

Suite No. 2 is orchestrated for 2 Flutes (2nd doubles as Piccolo), Oboe, 2 ClarinetsBb, A, 2 Bassoons, Horn in F, Trumpet in C, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion instruments (Big Drum, Tenor Drum, Cymbals), Piano and Strings. Duration is approximately 7 minutes, in four movements.

Russian composer, pianist andconductor, Igor Stravinsky is widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century and has an enduring reputation as a musical revolutionary who pushed the boundaries of musicaldesign.