“Nothing sets the classical music world abuzz like the discovery of a previously unknown score by a great composer,” writes John von Rhein in Wednesday’s (4/5) Chicago Tribune. “ ‘Funeral Song,’ an early orchestral work by the young Igor Stravinsky … had been lost for nearly 107 years before its rediscovery in late 2015 … in the archives of the St. Petersburg Conservatory…. The modern ‘re-premiere’ was given in St. Petersburg in December 2016 by the Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev…. As of now, the score is slated to travel to 17 countries, where it is to receive more than 30 performances this season and next. Boosey & Hawkes plans to publish a study score this month…. This week and next, Chicago Symphony Orchestra audiences will discover that big deal for themselves … beginning Thursday night … under conductor Charles Dutoit…. The CSO [has a] long association with Stravinsky and his music…. Dutoit has become the most prominent proponent of ‘Funeral Song.’… He gave the work its Singapore premiere in February…. He also will conduct it with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, in July.” In the U.S., performances are also planned in Cincinnati, Seattle, Utah, and Toronto.
Posted April 6, 2017
