PETRUSHKA

Russian Ballet with music composed by Igor Stravinsky. Stravinsky composed the music in the winter of for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Premiered in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet on June 13, It was conducted by Pierre Monteux, with choreography by Mikhail Fokine and sets by Alexandre Benois.

1911 Original version is scored for 4 flutes, 4 oboes, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contra bassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 cornets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, 2 snare drums, 2 tambourines, triangle, tam-tam, glockenspiel, xylophone, piano, celesta, 2 harps and strings Stravinsky revised the score for a smaller orchestra 3 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, snare drums, tambourine, triangle, tam-tam, xylophone, piano, celesta, harp, and strings.

The Petrushka Chord- is a recurring element throughout the ballet. The chord consist of a C major triad and F# major played over each other. This element recurs when ever the main character appears.

The Ballet is the ill-fated adventures of a puppet who suddenly comes to life. The puppet is a clown with a broken heart called Petrushka. The setting is a street fair during carnival week (call Shrovetide) in St. Petersburg in the 1830’s. The work is divided into four parts (tableaux)

In 1921, Stravinsky created a piano arrangement for Arthur Rubinstein entitled Trois Movements de Petrouchka, which the composer admittedly could not play himself for lack of adequate left hand technique. Stravinsky with Nijinsky as Petrushka

Part I- The Shrovetide Fair Introduction-at the fair The Charlatan’s Booth Russian Dance The opening scene is at the fair with crowds milling about the booths of the fairgrounds. Then a drum rolls summons the crowd to a marionette theater. The showman starts to play a flute and then the curtain raises to show three puppets- Petrushka, a ballarina, and the moor. The showman touches the dolls with his flute where the spring to life.

Part II- Petrushka’s Cell Petrushka’s Cell The second tableau is set in Petrushka’s room. It focuses on the clowns unhappy love for the Ballerina. The ballerina is put off by his appearance and rejects him.

Part III- The Moor’s Room The Moor’s Room Dance of the Ballerina Waltz- The Ballerina and the Moore The third tableau is set in takes place in the Moor’s room. He is brutal and stupid, but the Ballerina is charmed by his good looks and magnificent uniform. Petrushka, mad with jealousy, interrupts their lovemaking. The Moor throws him out.

Part IV- The Shrovetide Fair (Evening) Dance of the Wet Nurses Peasant With Bear The Jovial Merchant with Two Gypsy Girls Dance of the Coachmen and Grooms The Masqueraders The Fight- The Moore and Petrushka Death Of Petrushka Apparition of Petrushka’s Double

Part IV- The Shrovetide Fair (Evening) Continued The final tableau is set back at the fairground. The crowd is festive and the coachmen, grooms, and nursemaids dance merrily. Then there is a commotion in the puppet theatre. Petrushka rushes out from behind a curtain pursued by the Moor, who overtakes him and strikes him with a sword. Patrushka dies to the horror of the crowd. The showman shakes the puppet to let the bystanders know that he is only a doll stuffed with sawdust. Once the showman takes the puppet back to his room, he see’s Petrushka’s ghost high above him, grimacing and menacing. The Showmam is gripped with fear and runs away.

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