Stravinsky's English text setting in works of 1951-1953

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] As a Russian-born composer who later held citizenship in France and the United States, Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) achieved a remarkable command of the languages of his new surroundings, but his setting of non-Russian texts has always drawn the attention of music critics and scholars for its idiosyncrasies and inaccuracy. Stravinsky's interest in language, his experience of poetry as a type of music, and his attraction to the challenges of combining words and musical settings extended to whatever tongue he was speaking or addressing in his compositions. The research is focused on the following works: the recitative "I was never saner" and the aria "In youth the panting slave pursues" from The Rake's Progress (1951), "The maidens came" from the Cantata (1952), and "Full fadom five" from Three Songs from William Shakespeare (1953). Stravinsky's approach to text setting, his collaboration with the writers (when applicable), the treatment of text, appropriate use of syllables and stresses, and the relationship between music and words are described. Published critical reviews of the composer's cited vocal compositions regarding text setting are reported and discussed.