The Ballets Russes was a ballet company active in the early part of the 20th century.
Their founder, impresario Sergei Diaghilev, promoted new and innovative music, choreography and scenery.
Many of the leading names in the arts were affiliated with the Ballets Russes, including Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel and Henri Matisse.
Composer Igor Stravinsky also became famous for three early ballets he wrote for the company.
Hear Interlochen Arts Academy and Camp students perform selections from these three Stravinsky ballets: "The Firebird," "Petrushka" and "The Rite of Spring."
Music heard in this episode
Igor Stravinsky, "The Firebird" (1911 suite)
JoAnn Falletta conducting the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2012
Igor Stravinsky, "Petrushka" (suite)
Robert Marcellus conducting the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, May 1982
Igor Stravinsky, "The Rite of Spring" (selections)
Leslie Dunner conducting the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2019
The archival recordings heard on this program are available thanks in part to The Association for Recorded Sound Collections' Classical Music Preservation Grant, generous support from our listeners, and the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation.
