Music TheoryPrint

Igor Stravinsky

Requiem Canticles

Requiem Canticles is a 15-minute composition by Igor Stravinsky, for contralto and bass soli, chorus, and orchestra. Stravinsky completed the work in 1966, and it received its first performance that

Orchestration#

Requiem Canticles is scored for contralto and bass soloists, mixed chorus, and an orchestra consisting of 3 flutes (3rd doubles on piccolo), alto flute, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani (2 performers), 2 percussionists (xylophone, vibraphone, and tubular bells), harp, piano, celesta, and strings.

Structure#

The piece consists of nine short movements: Joseph N. Straus has discussed in detail Stravinsky’s particular application of serial technique in the work, and his devising and use of a system of “rotational arrays” and “four-part arrays” in composing the work. David Smyth has noted Stravinsky’s incorporation of the “B–A–C–H” (B–A–C–B) motif in the work. Requiem Canticles is characteristic of Stravinsky’s twelve-tone practice in that he preferred the inverse-retrograde (IR) to the typical retrograde-inverse (RI):

Further reading#

      • Samson, Jim (1995). “Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, etc”. In Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, Requiem Canticles, Canticum Sacrum (pp. 6–9) CD booklet . Colchester, Essex, England: Chandos Records.
  • Work details, Boosey & Hawkes
  • Details and analysis, California Institute of Technology
  • ; Philharmonia Orchestra, Simon Joly Chorale, Robert Craft conducting
Composer
Igor Stravinsky