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COMPOSITION Stravinsky composed the music during the winter of 1910-1911 for Sergei Diaghilev 's Ballets Russes . It was premiered at the Paris Théâtre du Chatelet on June 13 1911 in Paris under conductor Pierre Monteux . While the production was generally a success, more than a few observers were taken aback by music that was brittle, caustic, and at times even grotesque. One critic approached Diaghilev after a dress rehearsal and said, "And it was to hear ''this'' that you invited us?" Diaghilev succinctly replied, "Exactly". When Diaghilev and his company traveled to Vienna in 1913, the Vienna Philharmonic initially refused to play the score, deriding ''Petrushka'' as "schmutzige Musik" ("dirty music"). The work is characterized by the so-called Petrushka Chord (consisting of C major and F# major triads played together), a Polytonic device heralding the appearance of the main character. INSTRUMENTATION 1911 original version The original 1911 version of ''Petrushka'' is scored for 4 Flutes (3rd and 4th doubling Piccolo ), 4 Oboe s (4th doubling English Horn ), 3 Clarinet s in B flat, Bass Clarinet in B flat (doubling clarinet 4), 3 Bassoon s, Contrabassoon (doubling bassoon 4), 4 Horn s in F, 2 Trumpet s in B flat (often doubling piccolo trumpet), 2 Cornet s in B flat and A, 3 Trombone s, Tuba , Timpani , Bass Drum , Cymbals , 2 Snare Drum s (one offstage), 2 Tambourine s (one offstage), Triangle , Tam-tam , Glockenspiel , Xylophone , Piano , Celesta , 2 Harp s and Strings . 1947 revised version Stravinsky's 1947 revised version is scored for the following smaller orchestra: 3 flutes (3rd doubling Piccolo ), 2 Oboe s, English Horn , 3 Clarinet s in B flat (3rd doubling Bass Clarinet in B flat), 2 Bassoon s, Contrabassoon , 4 Horn s in F, 3 Trumpet s in B flat and C, 3 Trombone s, Tuba , Timpani , Bass Drum , Cymbals , Snare Drum , Tambourine , Triangle , Tam-tam , Xylophone , Piano , Celesta , Harp and Strings . STORY .]] The libretto was written by Alexandre Benois and Igor Stravinsky . The play opens at a '', a Russia n carnival before Lent that is analogous to Mardi Gras . The people rejoice before the privations of the long fast. Stravinsky's Orchestration and rapidly changing Rhythms depict the hustle and bustle of the fair. An Organ Grinder and dancing girl entertain the crowd. Drummers announce the appearance of the Old Wizard , who charms the captivated audience. Suddenly, the curtain rises on a tiny Theater , as the Wizard introduces the inert, lifeless puppet figures of Petrushka, the Ballerina and the Moor (the brute). The Old Wizard casts a magic spell with his Flute . The puppets come to life, leap from their little stage, and perform a vigorous Russian dance among the astounded carnival-goers. The second scene, after the performance, is set in the Petrushka's room. The walls are painted in dark colors and decorated with black Stars and a half-moon. With a resounding crash, the Wizard kicks Petrushka into his barren cell. We see that Petrushka leads a dismal "life" behind the show curtains. Although Petrushka is a puppet, he feels human emotions, including bitterness toward the Old Wizard for his imprisonment, as well as love for the beautiful Ballerina. A frowning portrait of the Wizard hangs above, as if to remind Petrushka that he is a mere puppet. This infuriates Petrushka, and he shakes his fists at the Wizard's glare. Petrushka tries to escape from his cell, but fails. The Ballerina enters the room. Petrushka tries to profess his love, but the Ballerina rejects his pathetic advances. As the Wizard treats Petrushka cruelly, the Ballerina engages in wanton affairs with the Moor. This snaps poor Petrushka's sensibilities. In the third scene, the audience learns that the Moor leads a much more comfortable "life" than Petrushka. The Moor’s room is much more spacious and lavishly decorated, painted in bright reds, greens and blues. Rabbits, palm trees and exotic Flowers decorate the walls and floor. The Moor reclines on a lounging couch and plays with a Coconut , attempting to cut it with his scimitar. When he fails, he believes that the coconut must be a God. The Wizard places the Ballerina in the Moor’s room. The Ballerina is attracted to the Moor’s handsome appearance. She plays a saucy tune on a toy trumpet (represented by a Cornet in the original 1911 orchestration) and begins to dance with the Moor. Petrushka finally breaks free from his cell. The Wizard brings him into the Moor's room to interrupt the Ballerina’s seduction. Petrushka attacks the Moor, but soon realizes he is too small and weak. The Moor beats Petrushka. Petrushka runs for his life, with the Moor chasing him, and escapes from the room. The fourth and final scene, that evening, returns to the carnival. The orchestra introduces a chain of colorful dances as a series of unrelated characters come and go about the stage. The first and most prominent is the Wet-Nurses’ Dance, to the tune of the folk song "Down the Petersky Road". Then comes a peasant with his dancing bear, followed in turn by a rake merchant and Gypsies, coachmen and grooms, and Masqueraders . As the merrymaking reaches its peak, a cry is heard from the puppet-theater. Petrushka suddenly runs across the scene, followed by the Moor in hot pursuit with an axe. The crowd is horrified when the Moor catches up with Petrushka and hacks him to death. The police question the Old Wizard. The Wizard seeks to restore calm by shaking sawdust from the "corpse," to remind everyone that Petrushka is but a puppet. As night falls and the crowd disperses, the Wizard leaves, carrying Petrushka’s limp body. Petrushka’s ghost appears on the roof of the little theater, his cry now in the form of an angry protest. Petrushka’s death only enlivens his spirit, which thumbs its nose at his tormentor from beyond the wood and straw of his carcass. Now completely alone, the Old Wizard is terrified to see the leering ghost of Petrushka. The wizard scampers off, with a single frightened glance over his shoulder, and the scene is hushed, leaving the audience to wonder who is "real" and who is not. SECTIONS The work is divided into four parts ''(tableaux)'' with the following scenes: Part I: The Shrovetide Fair
Part II: Petrushka's Room
Part III: The Moor's Room
Part IV: The Shrovetide Fair (Evening)
OTHER VERSIONS In of Petrushka and Apparition of Petrushka. The drumrolls linking each scene, optional in the 1911 original, are compulsory in the 1947 edition. The Ballerina 's tune is assigned to a Trumpet in the 1947 version instead of a Cornet as in the original. The 1947 version also provides an optional ''fff'' ( Fortissimo ) near the piano conclusion of the original. NOTABLE RECORDINGS
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