Concerto in E-flat "Dumbarton Oaks"

Igor Stravinsky wrote the Concerto in E Major for Chamber Orchestra " Dumbarton Oaks " between the summer of 1937 and spring of 1938 as a 'small concert in the style of the Brandenburg Concertos. " He had received from the American art patrons Robert Woods Bliss and his wife Mildred The order was, who wanted so celebrate their 30-year wedding anniversary; Dumbarton Oaks is the name of her country estate near Washington, DC.

The occupation with a flute, a clarinet, bassoon, two horns in F, three violins, three violas, two cellos and two double basses, which are used both as a soloist and in various groups, reminiscent of Baroque concerti grossi. In particular, between the first set of Dumbarton Oaks (Tempo giusto ) and the first sentence of the third Brandenburg Concerto, there are parallels; this is busy with 3 violins, violas and cellos and a double bass, which is also partly a soloist, sometimes occur in equal groups. Thematically, the two sets are similar. In the second movement ( Allegretto ) of Stravinsky concert, the cast is still reduced by the horns and bass, making his delicate rhythmic figures are even more emphasized. The third set again fully occupied ( Con moto ) is characterized by strong contrasts between ostinato elements and tutti and solo sections.

Nadia Boulanger conducted on May 8, 1938, the first performance of the concerto in a private setting at Dumbarton Oaks, as Stravinsky was prevented due to tuberculosis therapy. The composer was on June 4 at the desk at the public premiere in Paris.

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• Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky work of