This Friday, December 7, I will be playing the first three movements of Duo Concertante by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971).
Written in 1932, this is the only piece Stravinsky wrote for violin and piano. All other violin and piano pieces are transcriptions and arrangements of his compositions. Stravinsky never thought violin and piano match -- because of the two instruments' different percussive-ness. He said he "had taken no pleasure in the blend of strings struck in the piano with strings set in vibration with the bow." But in 1931, he wrote a violin concerto (great, great piece!) and while making the piano reduction of the orchestra part, he became more interested in writing for violin and piano. Meanwhile, Stravinsky was on tour and needed to write for smaller ensembles due to a tight budget. Duo Concertante was written for him and a violinist, Samuel Dushkin, to play on the tour. Here is a YouTube video of Stravinsky and Dushkin playing Duo Concertante.
Written in 1932, this is the only piece Stravinsky wrote for violin and piano. All other violin and piano pieces are transcriptions and arrangements of his compositions. Stravinsky never thought violin and piano match -- because of the two instruments' different percussive-ness. He said he "had taken no pleasure in the blend of strings struck in the piano with strings set in vibration with the bow." But in 1931, he wrote a violin concerto (great, great piece!) and while making the piano reduction of the orchestra part, he became more interested in writing for violin and piano. Meanwhile, Stravinsky was on tour and needed to write for smaller ensembles due to a tight budget. Duo Concertante was written for him and a violinist, Samuel Dushkin, to play on the tour. Here is a YouTube video of Stravinsky and Dushkin playing Duo Concertante.
My personal favorite is the third movement, "Egologue II". It may be the most beautiful piece of his.
This summer I got to visit his grave in San Michele Cemetery in Venice, Italy. That was a special moment of my Venice trip. Next to him is his wife, Vera.
This summer I got to visit his grave in San Michele Cemetery in Venice, Italy. That was a special moment of my Venice trip. Next to him is his wife, Vera.
San Michele Cemetery
Because of time restriction for the LRMC concert, Benjamin Steinhardt and I will only play the first three movements this Friday but we will play the whole piece in our "Ravel/Stravinsky" recital this season.
Duo Concertante, at 6:30pm this Friday at Long Ridge Music Center.
