The Firebird Story

The story of the Firebird Suite is based on a Russian folk tale and is divided into five movements.
Please select a movement below to explore the story (Notes by Kenneth H. Meltzer)

I. INTRODUCTION: THE FIREBIRD AND HER DANCE; VARIATION OF THE FIREBIRD

II. THE PRINCESSES' ROUND: KHOROVODE

III. INFERNAL DANCE OF KING KATSCHEÏ

IV. BERCEUSE

V. FINALE


III. INFERNAL DANCE OF KING KATSCHEÏ The Prince is suddenly confronted by Katscheï's horrible servants, and ultimately, the magician himself. Katscheï tries to turn the Prince into stone, but the hero produces the Firebird's magic feather. The Firebird appears and forces Katscheï and his followers into a frenetic dance. Here, a violent orchestral chord quickly shatters the repose of the previous section. The bassoons and horns intone a menacing, syncopated figure. The entire dance maintains a frightening level of energy and intensity that subsides only after a closing orchestral fulmination.
Link to George Vosburgh - principal trumpet - speaking about and playing an extract from this section