Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale

Many of us grew up hearing the classic tales of the Devil tempting our hero at a crossroad in his life, whether it was Stephen Vincent Benet’s 1936 tale The Devil and Daniel Webster (Saturday Evening Post later RKO film in 1941) or Robert Johnson’s 1936 song Cross Roads Blues, Washington Irving’s 1824 short Story The Devil and Tom Walker or even the ancient German story Faust.

In December 1971 Pacifica radio station WBAI paid tribute to one of the great composers of our time Igor Stravinsky by hosting a live performance of Stravinsky’s version of this old tale in L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale). Our hero, on leave from the war meets the Devil disguised as a merchant who is set on purchasing the soldier’s violin.. but at what price…? Find out in this complete epic tale. L’histoire du soldat
Notes: Credits:
Many of us grew up hearing the classic tales of the Devil tempting people at a crossroads in their lives, whether it was Stephen Vincent Benet’s 1936 tale The Devil and Daniel Webster (Saturday Evening Post later RKO film in 1941) or Robert Johnson’s 1936 song Cross Roads Blues, Washington Irving’s 1824 short Story The Devil and Tom Walker or even the ancient German story Faust. This storyline even made it into pop culture with Tenacious D’s The Greatest Song In The World/Tribute song where Kyle Glass and Jack Black had to out duel the Devil lest their souls be eaten.

In December 1971 Pacifica radio station WBAI paid tribute to one of the great composers of our time Igor Stravinsky who had died earilier that year in April. With a great body of work to choose from, including Firebird, Patrushka and Rite of Spring, The Music Department chose Stravinsky’s theatrical work L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) (1918).
It was performed live in front of the typical in studio audience at WBAI’s Free Music Store on December 18, 1971.
This part contains a performance of Stravinsky’s theatrical work L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) (1918).

Cast includes Tim Jerome, narrator; Arthur Miller, a soldier; and Pat Shea, the Devil. Musicians include Jeanne Benjamin, violin; Richard Fredrickson, bass; Paul Gallo, clarinet; Charles Nussbaum, bassoon; James Stubbs, trumpet; Lawrence Benz, trombone; and Howard van Hyning, percussion. Orchestra is conducted by Henry Schuman.


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