MUSI 038: Color & Spirit: Music of Debussy, Stravinsky, & Messiaen (SC)

An excellent, up-to-date annotated bibliography with introductory material and sections on Biographies, Documentary Sources, Musical Sources, Critical Evaluations, Stravinsky and Dance, Reception History, Analytical Issues, and Stravinsky’s Three Periods

An excellent article with an extensive bibliography.

"This study focuses primarily on the composer’s “Russian” period. The “Russian Traditions” of the title relate to matters of harmony, folk song, and training, elements that Stravinsky attempted to discount or dismiss altogether later in life. Taruskin’s study thereby represents a fresh perspective on the composer."

"As in Taruskin 1996, Walsh acknowledges that Stravinsky’s writings will be examined objectively rather than accepted unquestioningly. As a result, the meticulous archival research that lies behind this monograph makes it the definitive source for dates and facts relating to the composer during these years."

"Walsh is able to tell the story of Stravinsky’s American years in detail, yet without getting bogged down or losing sight of large-scale trends. The delicate topic of Robert Craft’s role in Stravinsky’s personal and professional life is approached objectively, yet with due skepticism."

"An Autobiography chronicles the first half-century of Stravinsky's life, all the while offering his opinions and "abhorrences." A Parsifal performance at Bayreuth? "At the end of a quarter of an hour I could bear no more." Nijinsky? "The poor boy knew nothing of music." Spanish folk music? "Endless preliminary chords of guitar playing."