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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

IV. BERCEUSE

When Katscheï and his followers are exhausted, the Firebird lulls them to sleep. The solo bassoon, accompanied by the harp and strings, plays a haunting melody. An ascending harp glissando leads to a more impassioned section, followed by a return of the bassoon melody.


Link to Nancy Goeres - principal bassoon - speaking about and playing an extract from this section

Explore the bassoon and harp playing an extract from this movement in the Music section