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Stravinsky: The Firebird

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

CHAPTER

Ivan Captures the Firebird After It Dances

Ivan captures the firebird after its dance, and she begs for him to spare her. In both the 1911 and 1945 suites, Strywinski uses the music from the place in the story where the firebird begs for her life. Obviously it's very important for the story, but why does he not use it in the 1919 version? Well, to me while it's beautiful music, it's not as brilliantly descriptive as some of the other numbers in the piece. It seems to demand dancers to tell its story. As the firebird departs and Ivan cherishes the enchanted feather he's just received, he comes upon the princesses who play a game with a golden apple.

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