Conversations with Igor

Article Abstract:

Conductor and writer Robert Craft established a very close relationship with Stravinsky, and some observers believe that he eventually had a negative influence on the composer's work, encouraging his turn to serial methodology, for example. The two men worked on a series of 'Conservation Books' in the period 1959-1973, and during this time Craft came increasingly to influence Stravinsky's thinking too. He is still trying to assess the true nature of his relationship with Stravinsky, and for this reason has not yet written a biography of the composer.

Influence, Craft, Robert

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To thine own muse be true

Article Abstract:

It has only recently become widely acknowledged in the UK that Igor Stravinsky was very critical of Benjamin Britten's 'War Requiem' when this work was released in 1963. Stravinsky believed that the work was derivative in idiom and frequently thin in substance. This view overlooks the fact that Britten wanted to find an idiom which was sufficiently direct and simply to convey his central message of the futility of violence. Stravinsky responded to Britten's work with 'Requiem Canticles.'

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The operas came in three by three

Article Abstract:

Bejamin Britten's works were sometimes extensively criticised, and he himself hinted at certain elements with which he was not satisfied. Despite this, he is still the only composer since the second world war whose entire operatic output has entered the international repertoire. This is probably because his music is very varied, even within the individual works. He drew from many different musical traditions, and was realistic enough to be aware of what would appeal most to audiences.

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