Symphony In C / Cantata On Anonymous 15th And 16th Century English Lyrics

This release features two distinct neoclassical works by Igor Stravinsky, recorded under his direction. Symphony in C was composed between 1938 and 1940, a period of profound personal tragedy for the composer marked by the loss of his mother, wife, and daughter to tuberculosis. Despite the circumstances, the symphony reflects a rigorous, disciplined engagement with Haydn-esque formal structures, serving as a pillar of his middle-period neoclassical style.

The Cantata, composed in 1952, highlights Stravinsky's fascination with pre-Baroque musical forms and antique texts. By setting anonymous 15th and 16th-century English lyrics, Stravinsky sought to evoke a stark, ritualistic atmosphere using a chamber ensemble and soloists. This recording, issued on the Philips label, is historically significant for featuring the composer conducting his own works, providing a definitive interpretation of his structural intentions and rhythmic precision during a time when his mid-century transition toward serialism was already beginning to influence his aesthetic.