b"Program NotescontinuedAnd in my dreams I see myself on a wolf's backRiding along a forest pathTo do battle with a sorcerer-tsar (Koschei)In that land where a princess sits under lock and key,Pining behind massive walls.There gardens surround a palace all of glass;There Firebirds sing by nightAnd peck at golden fruit.Diaghilev approached several composers to write the music for the ballet, the first of which was Anatoly Lyadov. After three months, Diaghilev, learning that Lyadov had only managed to get as far as procuring manuscript paper, promptly rescinded his offer. He then offered the commission to Nikolai Tcherepnin and Alexander Glazunov, both of whom turned him down. Somewhat desperate, Diaghilev called upon the 28-year-old, relatively unknown Stravinsky for the commission. Stravinsky, who had been anticipating the offer, had already begun working on a score when the offer came and was able to finish it in the very short time frame given. The piece was an instant success and remains a staple in the orchestral canon. Stravinsky was astute and aware enough to quickly extract an orchestral suite from the original ballet music. He did this three separate times: in 1911, 1919, and 1945. Today you will hear the 1919 version, which is the most popular and most frequently performed version. Instrumentationtwo flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbal, triangle, xylophone, harp, piano and strings Duration23 minutes~Kenneth BeanAssistant ConductorPrinceton Symphony Orchestraprincetonsymphony.org/ 17/ princetonfestival.org"