Stravinsky: Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 1

Description

Written while still a student of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky was encouraged to begin work on this piece for full orchestra in 1905. The young composer's first composition foray beyond piano, it counts as his first publication and opus number. Consulting his mentor frequently, a great deal of Rimsky-Korsakov can be heard in the work, as well as Tchaikovsky and Glazunov, showcasing Stravinsky's abillity to creatively assimilate other styles as he channels the spirit of the Russian high Romantic era, though his own voice can be heard in transitions and irregular phrases.

The work is dedicated "To my dear teacher N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov," though later recalled by Stravinsky, the master and Glazunov both thought the orchestration "too heavy" after hearing the first private April 27, 1907 performance by the St. Petersburg Court Orchestra. The first public performance took place on January 22 of 1908, after which the work was revised, with the new revision being performed first on April 2, 1914.

This revised version is preferred by Stravinsky, and he always performed it in his later concerts.

Instrumentation in set: 3(3dPicc).2.3.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(2): Str (9-8-7-6-5).