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Igor Stravinsky

Jeu de cartes (Stravinsky)

Jeu de cartes (also known in English as A Card Game, Game of Cards, or Card Party) is a ballet in "three deals" by Igor Stravinsky based on a libretto he co-wrote with Nikita Malayev, a friend of his

Structure#

The ballet’s three scenes are referred to as “deals” in the score. It can be further partitioned by its tempo markings: 1. First Deal (Première donne) * Introduction. Alla breve * Pas d’action. Meno mosso * Dance variation. Moderato assai * Dance of the Joker. Stringendo * Waltz-Coda. Tranquillo 2. Second Deal (Deuxième donne) * Introduction. Alla breve * March. Marcia * Variation I. Allegretto * Variation II * Variation III * Variation IV * Variation V. Sostenuto e pesante * Coda. Più mosso * Reprise of March. Marcia * Ensemble. Con moto 3. Third Deal (Troisième donne). * Introduction. Alla breve * Waltz. Valse * Battle between Spades and Hearts. Presto * Final Dance * Coda. Tempo del principio

Original#

  • Annabelle Lyon
  • Leda Anchutina
  • Ariel Lang
  • Hortense Kahrklin
  • William Dollar

Reviews#

  • The New York Times review by Anna Kisselgoff, 30 May 1992
Composer
Igor Stravinsky