Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Letters and Documents
- Stravinsky, Igor. Selected Correspondence.London: Faber & Faber, 1982–
- 3v. ISBN 0-571-11724-4. ML410 .S932 A395.
An annotated selection of letters by and to the composer. The correspondence
with W. H. Auden, librettist for The Rake’s Progress,gives some insights into
the collaborative process. Expansive index of names and titles.
Biographies
- White, Eric Walter. Stravinsky: The Composer and His Works.2nd ed. Lon-
don: Faber & Faber, 1979. 656p. ISBN 0-571-04923-0. ML410 .S932 W58.
A strong scholarly biography, with footnotes and documents. Includes pro-
gram notes on the stage works. Chronological worklist, with titles in English
only. Catalogue of manuscripts (1904–1952) in Stravinsky’s possession. Good
annotated bibliography of about 100 entries, including special issues of jour-
nals. Name and title (English only) index. - Taruskin, Richard. Stravinsky and the Russian Tradition: A Biography of
the Works through “Mavra.”Berkeley: U. of California Press, 1996. 2v. ISBN
0-520-07099-2. ML410 .S932 T38.
A monumental work of biography and musical analysis, offering vast detail
and complete documentation. Taruskin’s insights into the music are perceptive
and imaginative. Mavrais the topic of chapter 19 of v.2. Later volumes will
take up the major stage works. - Craft, Robert. Stravinsky: Glimpses of a Life.New York: St. Martin’s, 1992.
xv, 416p. ISBN 0-312-08896-5. ML410 .S932 C85.
This “half biography and half musical commentary” consists of 15 previously
published essays and 10 new ones. Craft’s close association with Stravinsky
allowed him to see “glimpses” closed to the rest of the world, and he offers a
revealing (often unflattering) account of the composer’s personal life. On the
musical side there is a valuable genesis study of Oedipus rex,and there are per-
ceptive analyses of Histoire du soldat and several instrumental works. Expan-
sive index.
Operas in General
- Schouvaloff, Alexander, and Victor Borovsky. Stravinsky on Stage.London:
Stainer & Bell, 1982. 226p. ISBN 0-85249-604-4. ML410 .S932 S37.
An attractive volume of photographs, many in color, showing major produc-
tions worldwide. Also premiere data, including casts, and synopses. Index of
theaters, names, and titles. - Lederman, Minna. Stravinsky in the Theatre.New York: Pellegrini & Cudahy,
- 228p. Reprint, New York: Da Capo, 1975. ML410 .S932 L47.
Discusses all the stage works and gives table of premieres for major cities.
Operas included are Rossignol, Histoire du soldat, Mavra,and Oedipus rex.
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