Igor Stravinsky’s Four Russian Ballets: Up Close and Personal

Bruce Chamberlain
Spring 2017
WEDNESDAYS |  
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
January 25 - February 15, 2017
Course Format: Hybrid
Location: Main Campus
Tuition: 85

This course explores the background and the groundbreaking stylistic features of Stravinsky’s most famous works: Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring, and Les Noces. Considered the epitome of early 20th-century composition, these works defined musical syntax for generations of composers. Les Noces, the least known of these works, is a ballet cantata, calling for four pianos, 11 percussionists, four singing soloists, mixed choir, and corps de ballet. Rarely performed due to its difficulty and complexity, it will not only be a major focus of our course, but the UA School of Dance and Fred Fox School of Music Choral Department will partner for historic performances of it at Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. Class participants, in addition to gaining a thorough understanding of these works and their socioartistic significance, will be treated to behind-the-scenes access during the rehearsal process and given a complimentary ticket to a performance of Les Noces.

Required Reading

Joseph, Charles M. Stravinsky’s Ballets. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0300118728.

Meet Your Instructor

Professor Emeritus

Bruce Chamberlain is a Professor Emeritus of Music, was the Director of Choral Activities for 18 years, and Associate Director of the Fred Fox School of Music. In addition, he is the founding director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus and an HSP presenter in 2017 on the four early ballets of Igor Stravinsky.

Location

POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

Street map image of Poetry Center

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